HOUSTON – It’s now called Daikin Park, though the Houston Astros’ downtown home is otherwise unchanged.

For certain Yankees’ uniformed personnel, the memories of past Octobers aren’t pleasant at the place formerly known as Minute Maid Park – but it’s all about the September stretch run now.

As the Yankees open a three-game series Tuesday night against the AL West-leading Astros, with the potential for another meeting in postseason, here are a few things to watch:

Yankees’ schedule gets tougher through Sept. 14

Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Chicago snapped the Yankees’ season-high seven-game winning streak, built largely against the last-place Nationals and White Sox

After visiting Houston, the Yanks’ next three series are at home against first-place teams Toronto and Detroit, and a set with the Red Sox, who’ve won 10 of 12 against the Yanks so far in 2025.

These Yankees (76-61) are a .500 team (37-37) against clubs with winning records this year, though Houston (76-62) has a 26-28 overall record since going 19-7 in June.

At the Stadium earlier this month, Houston took two of three games against the Yanks, but Joe Espada’s club has since lost closer Josh Hader – likely through the regular season – due to a shoulder issue.

Astros’ lefty slugger Yordan Alvarez is back after missing nearly four months (hand injury) and starter Luis Garcia re-entered Houston’s rotation Monday, for the first time in over two years (elbow surgery).

Entering Tuesday, the Yankees share the top AL wild card spot with the Boston Red Sox (77-62), with the Seattle Mariners occupying the final wild card spot.

Three games ahead of Seattle in their division, the Astros are coming off a four-game home split against the fourth place Los Angeles Angels.

Yankees-Astros probable pitching matchups

(all times Eastern)

Tuesday, 8:10: LHP Max Fried (14-5, 3.06) vs. LHP Framber Valdez (12-7, 3.18).

The Yanks scored four runs in 5.2 innings vs. Valdez on Aug. 9, their only win of that series. After a rocky eight-start stretch, Fried is coming off two solid starts – six scoreless innings vs. Boston and a seven-inning, one-run effort vs. Washington.

Wednesday, 8:10: RHP Will Warren (8-6, 4.30) vs. RHP Jason Alexander (4-1, 4.61).

On Aug. 10, Alexander limited the Yanks to one hit during six scoreless innings of a 7-1 Houston win. Warren has posted a 2.30 ERA over his last six starts, with the Yanks winning four of them.

Thursday, 7:40: LHP Carlos Rodon (15-7, 3.18) vs. RHP Cristian Javier (1-1, 3.38).

Like Warren, Rodon did not face the Astros in the earlier series, but the Yanks won each of his last five starts as he’s posted a 2.43 ERA. This will be Javier’s fifth start in 2025 since coming back from Tommy John surgery.Aaron Judge’s HR pursuit and defensive progress

Judge’s next home run will put him in sole possession of fifth place on the Yankees’ Hall-of-Fame laden home run list.

On Sunday, Judge’s 43rd homer in 2025 moved him into a fifth-place tie with Yogi Berra at 358 home runs.

Next on that list is Joe DiMaggio, and Judge is quickly moving toward the Yankee Clipper’s 361 home runs.

In short order, Judge could find himself behind only Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536) and Lou Gehrig in pinstriped home run lore.

As for when Judge will shed the DH-only role due to his right flexor tendon issue, well, this could be an interesting week.

The Yankees captain has continued making throws to second base from right field, along with cutoff throws, but there’s been no clarity about when he’d return to being a defensive option – returning Giancarlo Stanton to a regular DH role.

J.C. Escarra, Ryan Yarbrough are Yankees’ September callups

The first of September allowed for roster expansion, but only by two players.

Ahead of this series, the Yankees recalled lefty-hitting catcher/first baseman J.C. Escarra and activated lefty swingman Ryan Yarbrough, who’d been on a minor league rehab assignment.

Yarbrough (oblique) was built up as a starter to provide insurance, but he’ll serve in a multi-inning capacity as a reliever.

Escarra might be making a cameo here, with right-handed hitting outfielder Austin Slater (hamstring) set to play one more minor league rehab game before joining the Yankees.