Twenty-five years ago today, the Yankees opened up a three-game weekend set with the Tigers, five days after Detroit had scuttled New York’s first winning streak of 1998. No matter, as the Yankees promptly traveled to Toronto and swept away the Blue Jays, ensuring they’d carry another streak into this series.
More than just continuing their winning ways, the top priority entering this game was getting ace right-hander David Cone rolling. The veteran had run a spectacular 164 ERA+ over his last two seasons as a Yankee, but had started out ‘98 miserably, yielding seven runs over 5.