After sorting out key issues with their struggling team in St. Louis, the Yankees now face a significant week against AL East competitors, with the opportunity to focus on advancing rather than falling behind in the playoff race.

The Yankees’ three-game sweep of the Cardinals brought some promising developments for Aaron Boone’s squad, which helped increase their lead in the AL wild-card standings to 3 ½ games following the Braves’ weekend sweep of Cleveland. This advantage is now three games after the Guardians secured victory on Monday night in Arizona.

Following the unusual setup of using the visiting clubhouse and dugout at their Tampa spring-training facility (Steinbrenner Field) in a series against the Rays — as they did in the teams’ first road series in April — the Yankees have a shot at surpassing the Red Sox in the postseason hierarchy with a crucial four-game series at the Stadium starting Thursday night.

Then the rivals only will square off again in a three-game stop at Fenway Park in mid-September to complete the 13-game season series.