Series Preview vs. South Bend

GAMES AT PERFECT GAME FIELD, CEDAR RAPIDS

After coming off a nine game road trip, the Kernels open up a nine game home stand with three games vs. the South Bend Silver Hawks. The Silver Hawks are the Midwest League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

South Bend Silver Hawks (11-8)

Cedar Rapids Kernels (9-10)

PROBABLE PITCHERS:

THURSDAY at 6:35 p.m. CR: RHP Austin Wood (2-1, 3.38) vs. SB: RHP J.R. Bradley (1-2, 8.10)

Wood's won the season's first “Midwest League Pitcher of the Week” earlier this season. He's a 6th round pick from USC and is considered 24th best prospect in the Angels organization, according to Baseball America. Bradley is a 2nd round selection and is considered the 27th best prospect in the Diamondbacks organization. He pitched in South Bend in 2011 with a 6-16 record and a 4.98 earned run average.

FRIDAY at 6:35 p.m. CR: LHP Eswarlin Jimenez (0-1, 6.10) vs. SB: RHP Archie Bradley (2-1, 1.71)

Jimenez made his first start on Sunday at Dayton and didn't allow a run in four innings. He stays in the rotation as Mike Johnson heads to the bullpen. Bradley was taken with the 7th overall choice in the 1st round of the 2011 draft. He was an Oklahoma football recruit as a quarterback. He is considered the #2 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization.

SATURDAY at 5:05 p.m. RHP Michael Clevinger (0-0, 3.00) vs. SB: RHP Jeff Shields (0-2, 1.38)

Clevinger is making his first start since April 17 when he pitched five innings and allowed two runs at Peoria. He is considered the #16 prospect in the Angels organization. Shields is in the top ten in the Midwest League with a 1.38 earned run average. He allowed one run over seven innings in a no decision last Sunday vs. Wisconsin.

By: Morgan Hawk, Kernels radio broadcaster