Kernels face the Peoria Chiefs

The Peoria Chiefs beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels eight of 11 games in the regular season and had a franchise-best 43-26 second half. That doesn't matters now.

“The truth is it's going to come down to your starting pitcher in the first game in Peoria,” said Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello. “It's really that simple.”

The Kernels and Chiefs begin their first-round, best-of-3 Western Division playoff series tonight at 6:35 in Peoria. Games 2 and 3 are at Memorial Stadium.

“This is what you play for right here,” said Kernels outfielder Matt Crawford. “To get into the playoffs and give yourself a chance to win it all.”

It will be lefty Will Smith against righty Austin Bibens-Dirkx in Game 1. Peoria lit up Smith for 10 runs in three innings two weeks ago, with Bibens-Dirkx pitching into the seventh and allowing just one run in the same series. That doesn't matter now.

“I've got the first game, and it'd be nice to get some redemption,” Smith said.

Peoria finished as the MWL's top hitting team and was third in ERA. Cedar Rapids was sixth and seventh, respectively. Peoria had the division's best overall record of 81-57 to Cedar Rapids' second-best 78-60.

None of that matters now.