In the opening weeks of the season, the New York Yankees visited the Detroit Tigers in frigid conditions.

Five months later, both teams are in heated playoff races as the Yankees host the Tigers in a three-game series that begins Tuesday.

The Yankees (80-63) dropped two of three at Detroit in April when the gametime temperature was never higher than 42 degrees. New York won the final game of the series and took a seven-game lead in the AL East through May 28 before experiencing a two-month slump.

The Yankees went 25-34 from May 30-Aug. 5 but have since recovered.

Since holding on for a 3-2 victory at Texas on Aug. 6, New York is 20-9. And since getting outscored 19-4 in three straight losses at home against the Red Sox from Aug. 21-23, the Yankees are on an 11-3 run.

The Yankees trail

See Full Page