Kernels push for the Playoffs

Cedar Rapids, IA - The first half of the 2010 MWL season is down to the wire and the Cedar Rapids Kernels are leading the chase for the two first half playoff spots. With seven games remaining for the Kernels, they lead second place Quad Cities by 3.5 games and third place Clinton by 6.5 games.

The Kernels (41-21) need any combination of two wins or Clinton losses to lock up a playoff berth either as the first half MWL West champs, or Wild Card team. The Kernels also have the inside track for a first half MWL West championship, needing any combination of five wins or Quad Cities losses, and if the teams end the first half tied, the Kernels hold the tie-breaker over the River Bandits based on runs scored in head-to-head meetings.

Here's how the MWL West shapes up, heading into the final week:

Quad Cities (38-25) is in second place, 3.5 games behind the Kernels. They host Kane County for three games and then end the first half with three games at Peoria.

Clinton (35-28) is in third place, 6.5 games behind Cedar Rapids. They host Wisconsin for three games and then wrap up the season at Beloit.

Peoria (34-29) is in fourth place, 7.5 games back. The Chiefs are at Burlington for three games starting tonight and host Quad Cities for three to end the first half.

Beloit (32-31) is in fifth place, 9.5 games behind the Kernels. Look for a tough three game series with the Kernels, June 15-17 with former West Delaware HS star B.J. Hermsen set to start for the Snappers against the Kernels on Thursday. They end the season at home, hosting Clinton.

Kane County (30-34) is in sixth place, 12 games back. They play a three game set at Quad Cities and host Wisconsin to end the first half.

Wisconsin (22-41) is in seventh place, 19.5 games behind. They end the first half on the road with three games at Clinton and Kane County.

Burlington (20-43) is in eighth place, 21.5 games behind the Kernels. The Bees are the Kernels playoff nemesis, knocking them out in the MWL Playoffs the past two seasons and would like nothing more than to play the spoiler. They host Peoria before coming to Cedar Rapids for four games with a DH on Friday.

The Kernels have the good fortune to have all their remaining first half games at Perfect Game Field, where they are 23-4 this season, and could clinch a playoff berth as early as Tuesday night with a win and a Clinton loss. They host Beloit for three games, June 15-17, followed by four games against Burlington, June 18-20 with a DH on Friday, June 18th.

Tickets for the final seven games in the first half are available on-line at www.kernels.com, or by calling the Kernels Ticket Office at 896-7560. Ticket office hours are 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday and 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday. The ticket office opens at 10 am on Kernel home games and remains open through the seventh inning.