Kernels-Peoria: Inside their playoff series

It's the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Peoria Chiefs in the first round of the Midwest League playoffs. Game 1 of the best-of-3 series is Wednesday night in Peoria (6:30 first pitch), with Games 2 and 3, if needed, in Cedar Rapids on Thursday and Friday nights (6:35 first pitches).

Here are a few numbers and other tidbits about the series:

- Peoria won the regular-season series, 8-3. That included sweeping a four-game home series in late April, the only time the teams played in Illinois.

- Peoria beat Cedar Rapids three of four games at Memorial Stadium two weeks ago. That included winning games by scores of 16-5 and 11-1.

- Kernels Game 1 starter Will Smith gave up 12 hits and 10 runs (7 earned) in three innings Aug. 30, his only start this season against the Chiefs. Peoria Game 1 starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx allowed five hits and a run over 6 2/3 innings a day earlier, his only start against Cedar Rapids.

- Bibens-Dirkx was signed as a free agent by the parent Chicago Cubs after being released from the Seattle Mariners organization. He pitched for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2006.

- Kernels Game 2 starter Tyler Chatwood threw six strong innings, allowing four hits and three runs to beat Peoria on Aug. 28, his only start against the Chiefs. Peoria Game 2 starter Jeffry Antigua was a late-season call-up from Rookie-level Boise and went 4-0 for the Chiefs, including a win over Cedar Rapids on Aug. 30.

- Peoria had four players named to the Midwest League postseason all-star team, though only two remain with the club: first baseman Rebel Ridling and outfielder Kyler Burke. Infielder Josh Vitters was promoted to high-Class A Daytona in the middle of the season and infielder Josh Harrison was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

- Cedar Rapids had two postseason all-stars who are still with the club. Second baseman Alexi Amarista won the MWL batting title (.319 average). Relief pitcher Andrew Taylor has allowed only two earned runs since July 1.

- Ridling finished with 97 RBIs, second in the MWL. Burke had 43 doubles. Aaron Shafer paced with pitching staff with 11 wins. Chris Huseby had a team-best 18 saves.

- Tyson Auer finished with 43 stolen bases for the Kernels and Amarista 38. Gabe Jacobo had a team-high 76 RBIs. Smith led the pitching staff with 10 win. Vladimir Veras had 11 saves.

- Peoria Manager Marty Pevey was a third-base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays last season.