Colin Rea: Everything you need to know

Rea did not factor into Wednesday's decision against the Reds. He allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.1 innings. Rea gave up an unearned run in the first after an Elly De La Cruz groundout that brought TJ Friedl home. Rea kept the Reds off the board over the next three frames before yielding a solo long ball to Matt McLain, but Rea was still in line for the win until Cincinnati scored four runs in the ninth inning to take a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the frame, though the Cubs were able to rally for the extra-inning victory. Rea has given up two earned runs or less in six of eight starts this season and sits at a 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 35:12 K:BB across 38 innings. He's slated to face Atlanta on the road next week.

Rea (4-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings in a 6-5 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out six without walking a batter. The veteran right-hander needed an inefficient 102 pitches (71 strikes) to record 16 outs, but Rea did enough to snag his fourth win in five turns through the rotation since replacing Cade Horton (elbow). Rea will take a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB through 32.2 innings into his next outing, which is set to come at home next week against the Reds.

Rea (3-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 3.1 innings. Rea got through two scoreless frames before giving up a two-run homer to Max Muncy in the third inning. Things went even further south for the righty in the fourth -- he retired the first batter be faced, then allowed four straight batters to reach base, all of whom eventually came around to score (two after his departure). Rea hurt himself by issuing four free passes in the loss after handing out no more than two walks in any of his first five outings. He came into Saturday on a three-game win streak and having given up no more than three earned runs across any of his first five appearances, so he'll look to put this poor start behind him and get better results in what's projected to be a home start against Arizona next week.