Series Preview with Quad Cities

Tonight the Kernels begin a four game home series with the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The River Bandits are the defending Midwest League champions. These are the final four games of the home stand before the Kernels hit the road for a nine game road trip to Peoria, Bowling Green, and Dayton.

Quad Cities (3-3)

Cedar Rapids (5-1)

PROBABLE PITCHERS:

THURSDAY AT 6:35 P.M

CR: RHP Michael Clevinger (0-0, 1.50) VS. QC: LHP Hector Hernandez (1-0, 0.00)

On paper, this is the best matchup of the series. Clevinger is ranked as the #16 prospect in the Angels organization. Clevinger was strong in a no decision effort at Wisconsin last Friday. Hernandez defeated Kane County last Friday, going five innings and allowing no runs.

FRIDAY AT 6:35 P.M.

CR: LHP Ryan Crowley (0-0, 2.25) VS. QC: RHP Todd McInnis (0-0, 3.60)

Crowley was solid is his first outing of the season on Saturday at Wisconsin. He went four innings and allowed one run. . McInnis recorded a no decision on Saturday vs. Kane County, going five innings and allowing two runs on seven hits.

SATURDAY AT 5:05 P.M.

CR: RHP Jairo Diaz (0-0, 7.71) VS. QC: LHP Kyle Hald (0-0, 0.00))

Diaz pitched in Cedar Rapids at the end of 2011 and went 4.2 innings in his start on Monday night. He allowed six runs (four earned) against Clinton. Hald started against Peoria on Tuesday and only went one inning, allowing one unearned run

SUNDAY AT 2:05 P.M.

CR: LHP Mike Johnson (0-0, 3.60) vs. QC RHP Sam Gaviglio (0-0, 3.86):

Johnson went five innings and allowed two runs in a no decision effort against Clinton on Tuesday night. Hald started against Peoria on Tuesday and only went one inning, allowing one unearned run. Gaviglio went 4.2 innings in his first start against Peoria on Monday. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Michael Clevinger, P, CR: Ranked as #14 prospect in Angels system, according to 'Baseball America"

Frazier Hall, 1B, CR: Hitting .348 with 2 HR and 6 RBI through the first 6 games

Chevy Clarke, CF, CR: Hitting .381 with 4 stolent bases through the first 6 games

Luis Mateo, IF, QC: Hitting .348 with 4 RBI through the first 6 games

By: Morgan Hawk, Kernels radio broadcaster