What happened: The Yankees have dropped three in a row, most recently falling 5-3 to the Tigers in Detroit, and sit at 13-10 heading into a critical run of the season. The slide comes as New York works to steady a roster facing real questions down the stretch.
Why it matters: At 13-10, the Yankees are still in the mix, but a cold spell narrows the margin in a tight race. Detroit, by contrast, has surged to 12-9 on the back of five consecutive wins, a reminder of how fast standings can move at this point in the calendar.
By the numbers: NYY: 13-10, 1-4 over their last five, currently on a three-game losing streak (5.5 runs scored, 4.0 allowed per game). DET: 12-9, winners of five straight (5.0 scored, 3.9 allowed per game). Final: Tigers 5, Yankees 3.
What to watch: Watch whether the Yankees can snap the skid and stabilize before the stretch run intensifies.