I called this weekend’s Rangers-Yankees affair a “make-or-break series for the Yankees.” Well, the Yankees got the job done, sweeping the stumbling Rangers.

Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez continue to come up big for the Yankees, who now head to Tampa Bay for a three-game set. Jaret Wright takes the mound for New York, making his fifth start of the season and first in nearly four months.

The Yanks, who are 19-22 against AL East foes, need to win these games against the Rays. And it won’t be easy. The Rays are 7-3 against the Yankees this season, which is their best mark against any opponent. The seven wins represent their highest win total for a season against the Yankees.

Thanks to Oakland’s loss to the Twins on Sunday, New York is 2 1/2 back in the Wild Card race. I don’t think the Yanks are going to catch the Sox in the East, so the Wild Card is their only hope.