Now that the undercard against the Red Sox is out of the way, the Yankees can focus on the main event — a two-game series against the Rays with first place potentially on the line.

The Rays (28-11) come to The Bronx with the best record in baseball, with the Yankees’ owning the second best — three games out after last night’s 7-6 loss over Boston. Tampa Bay, which beat the Indians 6-2 yesterday afternoon, has replaced Boston as the major hurdle the Yankees have to clear if they want to win another division title.

“We definitely expect for them to be there and we think they’re a good club, a club to be reckoned with for sure,” said Andy Pettitte, who is scheduled to pitch tomorrow. “They just have so much talent. They’ve got so many great athletes.”