Colin Rea shut down the Phillies Monday night, allowing just 1 run in 6.2 innings to lift the Cubs to their sixth straight win. It was only the second start of the season for Rea, who worked behind an opener in Philadelphia his last time out and has also served in a long relief role.
Fernández, 29, has long had intriguing stuff. He tossed 54 big league innings from 2019 to 2022. His 5.17 earned run average in that time wasn't especially impressive but both his four-seamer and sinker averaged over 98 miles per hour in his most recent season.
Tanner Brown, the junior pitcher for Huntington Beach High, is often overshadowed by teammate Jared Grindlinger, a likely first-round draft pick, yet he has proven his worth with a 1.94 ERA and a save in a recent game.