(Sports Network) - A reversal of roles is in store when the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays each start up September with a three-game series from Tropicana Field.

The Yankees usually enter the season's final month at or near the top of the American League East standings, while the Rays are traditionally hopelessly out of the playoff picture at this point. That's not the case in 2008, as Tampa Bay enters this set with the best record in the majors at 84-51 and holds a five-game bulge on second-place Boston in the division race.

New York, on the other hand, is in serious jeopardy of having its run of 13 straight postseason appearances end. The Yankees currently stand seven games behind the rival Red Sox for the lead in the AL Wild Card picture with just 25 left to play.

The Bronx Bombers managed to keep pace with Boston after winning a makeup contest in Detroit on Monday. New York opened a crucial 10-game road trip by pounding out 17 hits to outslug the Tigers by a 13-9 count.

The first four batters in the New York lineup -- Johnny Damon, Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez -- combined to go 11-for-18 with eight runs batted in and 10 runs scored. Ivan Rodriguez, in his return to Detroit following his July trade, added two hits and two runs scored for the Yankees.

Alex Rodriguez stroked three hits, drove in four runs and scored twice on the afternoon.

Despite being staked to an early 11-2 lead, New York starter Sidney Ponson couldn't get out of the fourth inning to qualify for the win. He was tagged for seven runs -- six earned -- on nine hits and one walk in three-plus innings.

Brian Bruney (2-0) got credit for the victory with 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Tampa Bay was off on Monday, one day after the club recorded its fifth straight win with a 10-4 rout of Baltimore at Tropicana Field.

Jason Bartlett went 4-for-4 with a solo homer and finished with three runs scored and two RBI to help the Rays complete a sweep of the three-game series. Starter James Shields (12-8) did his part as well, limiting the Orioles to one run on six hits over the first seven innings.

Rocco Baldelli ended 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI for Tampa Bay, which improved to 5-1 on its nine-game homestand and an outstanding 52-19 as the host this year. Willy Aybar knocked in a pair of runs in the win.

Matt Garza, who is slated to take the mound for the Rays tonight, has also enjoyed plenty of success at Tropicana Field in 2008. In 13 home starts this season, the right-hander has amassed an excellent 7-2 record and 2.47 earned run average.

Garza's home dominance continued on Wednesday, when he fired 7 2/3 shutout innings to defeat Toronto. He is 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA over his last three starts.

The 24-year-old also owns a win over the Yankees at the Trop this season. That came on May 12, with Garza delivering seven scoreless frames in a 7-1 Tampa triumph.

Garza is 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA in three lifetime encounters with New York, two of which came in a starting role.

The Yankees counter with veteran Mike Mussina, who will be putting a six-start unbeaten streak on the line. The 39-year-old has three wins and three no- decisions over that stretch, while pitching to a strong 2.93 ERA.

Mussina failed to gain his 17th victory of the season in Thursday's clash with Boston, but certainly threw well enough to do so. He held the Red Sox to two runs on five hits over seven innings in the no-decision.

The battle-tested right-hander is 6-1 with a 3.34 ERA in 10 road starts this season and owns an impressive 18-7 career record along with a 3.38 ERA over 31 matchups against the Rays.

New York is expected to add some depth to its relief corps for tonight's game, with the club slated to activate Joba Chamberlain from the 15-day disabled list. The hard-throwing youngster, who has shuffled between the rotation and the bullpen this year, hasn't pitched since August 4 due to rotator cuff tendinits. He will be used primarily as a reliever upon his return.

The Yankees own a 7-5 edge in this year's season series with Tampa Bay. The teams have split six meetings at Tropicana Field in 2008.