Peoria Chiefs baseball team clinches spot in 2023 Midwest League playoffs
PEORIA — The Peoria Chiefs are headed back to the baseball postseason.
The High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals clinched a spot in the Midwest League playoffs after a 3-0 victory over the Beloit Sky Carp on Wednesday night at Dozer Park.
The victory gave the Chiefs a 36-26 record in the second half of the season, clinching the West Division's second-half playoff spot. This is the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2018, when it advanced to the MWL championship series against Bowling Green.
"It's awesome," said Chiefs catcher Jimmy Crooks, who was named the Midwest League Player of the Month for August. "What a great experience this is for all of us."
Peoria now plays a best-of-3 series against Cedar Rapids, the West Division first- and second-half champion. Peoria was 6-15 this season against Cedar Rapids.
Game 1 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Dozer Park. Tickets are $15 in all locations.
Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday at Cedar Rapids. Game 3, if needed, is also at Cedar Rapids.
Peoria was 6-15 this season against the Kernels.
The Chiefs began their celebration on the field, moved to the dugout, and eventually into the clubhouse for a sparkling juice-spraying victory shower.
"Watching that final inning, you're thinking, one more out to go," Chiefs starting pitcher Ian Bedell said. "Then it's 'Let's get this party started.' "
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Chiefs clinch spot in 2023 Midwest League playoffs
