This unsung Cubs hero took center stage again in Wednesday's win over the Brewers

If you're thinking about highlights from Wednesday's dramatic Chicago Cubs victory, you're probably daydreaming about Matt Shaw's clutch home run, Daniel Palencia's dramatic entrance and subsequent high-wire act or Owen Caissie's diving grab in right. But Colin Rea's gritty start deserves our respect as much as any of those moments.

The bullpen was absolutely cashed heading into Wednesday night, and Craig Counsell needed a strong start from the veteran right-hander - and Rea delivered. He overcame control issues, especially in the early going, and helped lead the Cubs to a third straight win over the first-place Brewers, tossing 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits and five walks.

The big right-hander ran his four-seamer up to 96 MPH, and found success despite throwing just 50 percent of his pitches for strikes. His defense had his back repeatedly, with Matt Shaw's incredible play on an Anthony Siegler bunt with one out and one on in the sixth surprising even Rea.

“It was a great bunt,” said Rea. “As soon as I looked over, I didn’t see anyone, so in my head I’m thinking base hit. And then Shaw comes out of nowhere.”

Colin Rea has been a stabilizing force for the Cubs' rotation in August

That's been Rea for much of the year, a steadying presence that gives his team a chance to win almost every time out. There have been occasional blips, but he's been dynamite in four August starts: a 2.53 ERA, 3.11 FIP, and 1.13 WHIP, averaging 5 1/3 innings per outing. Chicago won three of those games, but none felt bigger than Wednesday.

After getting trounced in Monday's series opener, which was supposed to be the opening end of a twin bill, Mother Nature gave Craig Counsell's club a badly needed reset, pushing the doubleheader to Tuesday. The Cubs responded, winning both and followed it up with another W on Wednesday behind Rea's strong start.

Although the Cubs are optimistic about Cade Horton making his next start after leaving Monday's outing with a blister issue, there's a lot at stake heading down the stretch and being able to count on Rea taking the ball every five days is huge, even as Jameson Taillon reintegrates into the rotation and Javier Assad bounces between Wrigley and Des Moines.

Chicago has closed the gap in the division and firmly controls the wild-card race in the National League. It's all eyes on the team's exciting rookies and the injured, slumping Kyle Tucker, but make no mistake: guys like Rea have a huge role to play for this team in the weeks to come, and Wednesday was hard proof of that.