Time to talk playoffs

Believe it or not, but we're just under three weeks away from the start of the District 3 baseball playoffs. A few teams have clinched a playoff berth while others will be scrambling into the final week of the season. Below is a breakdown of which area teams will playing postseason baseball and which will gearing up for the American Legion season.

Big Spring (7-7) -- Only three wins from a guaranteed trip to the 3-AAA playoffs but those aren't going to come easily. The Bulldogs won't be favored to win against Waynesboro, Susquenita or Northern but if they can scratch out victories against Bermudian Springs, Shippensburg and West Perry, Big Spring will qualify. Plus, this team already beat Susquenita once. Prediction: Big Spring will qualify with a 10-10 record.

Boiling Springs (8-7) -- Tuesday's game is huge for this team. If the Bubblers slip up against Camp Hill, the postseason is likely to be lost. Two games remain against Trinity (12-1) and another against Greencastle-Antrim (12-2) with Steelton-Highspire (3-11) also on the late-season slate. The Bubblers haven't been to the postseason since their appearance in the 3-AA field in 2007. This time, they're trying to crack the 3-AAA field. Prediction: Big Spring will qualify with a 10-10 record.

Camp Hill (3-10) -- Yes, the two-time defending PIAA Class A champions have struggled to replace seven starters but the 3-A field is nearly an open bracket, meaning anyone can enter. We still think coach Brad Shover can get enough out of this team to make a run at a district title. Prediction: Camp Hill will qualify with a 6-13 record.

Carlisle (6-6) -- This team may have shown the most improvement of any in the area. But it's going to take an incredibly strong closing kick to make the 3-AAAA field for the first time since 2005. The Thundering Herd has a brutal schedule down the stretch and is going to have to spring an upset or two just to get in. Of the six opponents that remain -- including a suspended game against Waynesboro that the Indians lead, 6-0 -- five have a winning record: Prediction: Carlisle will miss the playoffs with an 8-11 record.

Cedar Cliff (13-1) -- Clinched a spot in the 3-AAAA field with a 14-4, five inning win against Red Land on April 21.

Cumberland Valley (7-5) -- Riding a three-game winning streak that includes a win over previously unbeaten Cedar Cliff, CV is peaking at the right time. This team might just have enough in the tank to seriously challenge for a Mid-Penn Commonwealth title. We'll know a lot more about these guys after Wednesday's home date with Chambersburg. Prediction: CV will qualify with a 15-6 record.

East Pennsboro (8-7) -- Only two wins out of the 3-AAA postseason, the Panthers will have to battle for those two clinching wins. If East Penn drops its next three to Northern, Waynesboro and Susquenita the Panthers will be forced to beat Shippensburg and Camp Hill to qualify. If these guys make the field, they could be dangerous. Prediction: East Penn will qualify with an 11-9 record.

Mechanicsburg (10-4) -- After losing its first two last week, Mechanicsburg rallied to beat Hershey in nine innings Friday to clinch a berth in the 3-AAAA field.

Northern (13-2) -- Thanks to a 12-3 romp over Waynesboro on April 23, the Polar Bears locked up a 3-AAA spot. Northern has outscored its last three opponents, 37-5.

Red Land (10-5) -- The three-time defending Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division champions clinched a spot in the 3-AAAA field with a 5-4 win over Central Dauphin in eight innings Friday. Now, about that 12-2 home loss to Dallastown the next day ...

Shippensburg (3-10) -- One more loss and the Greyhounds are out. With powerful and angry Susquenita up next, Shippensburg's postseason hopes will likely come to an end this afternoon. But if the Greyhounds can emerge with a win, winnable games remain with James Buchanan, Big Spring, West Perry and East Pennsboro. Prediction: Shippensburg will miss the playoffs with a 4-14 record.

Susquenita (9-5) -- After a 7-1 start, the Blackhawks have dropped four of their last six to nearly fall out of the Mid-Penn Colonial Division race (Northern has a four-game lead on them with five to play). But the schedule sets up nicely for Susquenita to turn it around and finish strong for a third straight 3-AAA appearance. Prediction: Susquenita will qualify with a 13-7 record.

Trinity (12-1) -- Shamrocks clinched a spot in the 3-AAA playoffs with a 9-1 win over Camp Hill on April 21. We'd love to see what Trinity could do if it were correctly classified as a Class AA school.

West Perry (6-8) -- Jeff Sanno's crew has its work cut out for it down the stretch. The Mustangs need to finish 4-2 or better to make the 3-AAA field after a one-year absence. It's a tough final six games for West Perry, which should win at least two of those against James Buchanan and Shippensburg. Northern, Waynesboro, Susquenita and Big Spring are the other remaining games. Ouch. Prediction: West Perry will miss the playoffs with an 8-12 record.