Power Rankings: Which contenders are do or die down the stretch?

We've seen the Dodgers challenged for the top slot but never unseated for very long. And this week's clean sweep of first-place votes suggests not just that L.A. is No. 1 going away, but also that it might take an epic dive not unlike the 1-16 pratfall the Dodgers started stumbling into two years ago today to see them dislodged. The Yankees and Astros might have to satisfy themselves with jockeying for the American League's top team; and the Braves and Twins -- both likely division winners -- might be able to round out the top five the rest of the way.

Where things get interesting is in the races very much still being run, particularly the wild-card races in both leagues. The A's, Indians and Rays might all be among baseball's 10 best teams -- certainly according to our voters in the rankings -- but there are just two AL wild cards, which means one of those teams will miss out on October's play-in postseason game. Similarly, the Mets, Brewers and Phillies are all clinging to contention, but can they keep up with the Nationals and Cubs (or Cardinals) in the wild-card pack? And with the Cubs running neck-and-neck with the Cards in the National League Central, the NL postseason picture figures to go down to the wire.

As far as big moves up or down this week, the largest single gain was made by the Braves, who moved up three to regain a spot in the top five. The biggest decline was seen by the Indians, who fell four spots while suffering a setback for the rehabbingCorey Kluber and losing Jose Ramirezto a wrist injury.

For Week 19, our panel of voters was composed of Bradford Doolittle, Christina Kahrl, Eric Karabell, Tim Kurkjian and David Schoenfield.

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