After ripping off a 13-game win streak, the Yankees have dropped their last two, splitting with the Oakland A's in four games before heading to Anaheim to take on the Los Angeles Angels.

And New York shouldn't fret, they've picked up more than enough ground to cement their spot (at the moment) as the leader in the AL Wild Card. But unfortunately for them, the Tampa Bay Rays have been winning at an unprecedented clip, too, keeping pace with their AL East division lead.

Now a lot of that is due to their fairly easy schedule during that span. While the Yankees were dealing with teams like the A's, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox, the Rays were beating up on the Baltimore Orioles in seven of their last 13 games. They also played the lowly Minnesota Twins, who the Yankees also dominated in three games, and the Red Sox.

But speaking of the Red Sox, they play the Rays in six of their next nine contests -- Tampa faces Minnesota again in between for three games. So you could say a double-edged sword is at play for the Yankees, who need to be able to dominate in their next couple series if they wish to take the AL East title.

After two straight losses, New York is now 6.0 games back of Tampa for the division lead. But the Rays are finally facing a team that can, and have, beaten them recently. Boston themselves are looking to keep their second Wild Card spot, which is now 2.5 games ahead of the A's. So they're going to give it their all on the road in St. Petersburg to hold that ground.

But we wouldn't necessarily say the Yankees should be rooting for the Red Sox outright. We'd have to add the Yanks can root for the Sox if they start a new win streak.

The Angels are an awful team that New York should have their way with. Shohei Ohtani poses the only threat on the mound this Tuesday, and of course, his MVP-worthy bat must be talked about as well. But other than that, it should be no problem to sweep.

Then, finally, the Yankees get their own crack at the O's right when they get home to the Bronx following the Angels set, which quite frankly needs to be a sweep. Followed by the Toronto Blue Jays coming to town for four games.

But the key here is the Rays-Red sox series that will take place in the next week or so is crucial. The Yankees could win and root for the Sox to take down the top dog in the division. But if the Yankees are losing, two scenarios could come:

1. The Rays pull away even further in the division.
2. The Red Sox start climbing higher in the Wild Card standings, which could make the Yanks go on the road for that contest if it comes down to it by the time October rolls around.

Every game is a big one from here on out, as September usually makes it. But this stretch of nine games is where the Yankees can really put pressure on the Rays.

They just need a little help from their most bitter rival.

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