Tuesday’s playoff picture for American Legion Senior baseball

With under a week to go in the regular season of American Legion Senior baseball, only one of the eight spots in the state tournament has been claimed, and as many as 13 teams are still alive for the others.

The top four teams from each district advance to the double-elimination tournament, which begins July 24 at Holman Stadium in Nashua. Here’s a look at how the field looks as of now, and what lies ahead for this week.

Standings (through July 14)

District A

1. Lebanon 12-2
2. Sweeney 13-3*
3. Bedford 11-5
4. Milford 9-6

Sweeney has already clinched a playoff spot. Other teams in contention: Concord (8-6), Laconia (6-7), Goffstown (7-8). Eliminated: Keene (3-10), Plymouth (4-11), Jutras (0-15).

District B

1. Rochester 11-2
2. Dover 10-4
3. Hudson 10-5
4. Derry 7-6

Other teams in contention: Londonderry (7-7), Nashua (7-7), Portsmouth (6-8), Merrimack (5-9). Eliminated: Exeter (4-11), Salem (3-11).

Tuesday’s matchups

• Lebanon at Laconia: After winning its first 12 games, Lebanon has dropped its last two to Milford and Bedford. A win over Laconia would wrapup a playoff spot for Post 22, which would be big considering it still has games Concord, Goffstown and Sweeney still to go. Laconia has won three in a row to get back into the playoff picture.
• Concord at Keene: Sweeney’s come-from-behind, extra-inning win over Milford on Monday was big for Concord. A win at Keene on Tuesday would move Post 21 into a tie for fourth with Post 23.
• Londonderry at Nashua: Nashua will be trying to win three games in a row for the first time all season, while Londonderry has lost four of its last five games. The winner could, for the moment, move into fourth place if Portsmouth beats Derry.
• Portsmouth at Derry: A Portsmouth win would knock Derry back out of the playoff picture for the moment, while keeping its own hopes alive. A Portsmouth loss wouldn’t eliminate Post 6, but it would then need some help to get into the tournament.
• Rochester at Hudson: Hudson won the first meeting, and since then, Rochester hasn’t lost, winning eight in a row to move into the top spot in the district. This is the third of four games in four days for Hudson, so Post 48 may look to rest its best arms and gear up for its final two games against Merrimack on Wednesday and Friday. A win for Rochester, and a Derry loss, would wrapup a tournament spot.
• Salem at Dover: Dover had lost back-to-back games before Monday’s win over Londonderry to fall from first in the district. A win and a loss by Derry would all but lock up a tournament spot for Dover.