Back home to take on Peoria

The Kernels open up a nine-game, 10-day home stand tonight. We host Peoria for three games, beginning tonight at 6:35 p.m.

The Kernels are 5-3 against the Peoria Chiefs this season, including splitting a four game series that opened the season at Peoria and winning three of four against the Chiefs in Cedar Rapids in late May.

Pitching Matchups:

Saturday at 6:35 p.m.

CR: RHP Heath Nichols (5-5, 4.15) vs PEO: LHP Austin Kirk (5-5, 2.60)

This is the best matchup of the series. Nichols is coming off his two best starts of the year, going a combined 16.1 innings and allowing only three runs against Quad Cities and Burlington. Kirk threw a nine-inning no-hitter last time out against the Clinton LumberKings

Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

CR: RHP A.J. Schugel (3-2, 2.68) vs PEO: RHP Starling Peralta (0-1, 1.80)

Schugel has gone five innings exactly in all five of his starts this season. He has faced Peoria three times in relief, with a 1.80 earned run average in five innings of work. Peralta made his first start of the season on Tuesday agastin Clintgon, going five innings and allowing one run.

Monday at 12:05 p.m.

CR: RHP P.J. Jang (0-1, 5.52) vs PEO: LHP Eric Jokisch (7-2, 3.53)

Jang pitched very well against Clinton on Wednesday, going six innings and allowing three runs on three hits. It was Jang's best outing as a Kernel this season. Jokisch pitched in relief for the first part of the season. His last four appearances have been starts. He is 0-2 as a starter this season.

By: Morgan Hawk, Kernels radio broadcaster