Paddack didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing one run on four hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out eight.

Paddack was able to keep a dangerous Dodgers lineup in check, but he was taken deep by the red-hot Shohei Ohtani for a solo shot in the first inning. It was an impressive bounce-back effort by Paddack, who registered his most strikeouts since his June 1 start in Seattle and threw at least six frames for the first time since a June 7 outing versus Toronto. The right-hander's shaky 4.95 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 83:27 K:BB over 111 innings still render him tough to trust his next time out versus the Red Sox, who have a .823 OPS against right-handed pitching over 18 games since the start of July.

Pfaadt didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Astros, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

Pfaadt was dominant early, allowing just three hits through his first five scoreless innings. However, he'd falter in the sixth, allowing two runs when Christian Walker and Yainer Diaz led off the frame with back-to-back doubles. Pfaadt had been on a roll coming into Wednesday's outing -- he'd won his previous two starts while giving up just two runs over 15 innings. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander sports a 4.76 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 95:25 K:BB across 21 starts (111.2 innings). Pfaadt's currently scheduled to face the Tigers on the road his next time out.

Rea (8-4) took the loss Wednesday, surrendering six runs (five earned) on six hits -- including three home runs -- over five innings as the Cubs fell 8-4 to the Royals. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The veteran righty got taken deep by Vinnie Pasquantino twice and Salvador Perez once, marking the third time in his last 10 outings that Rea has served up at least three homers. He's coughed up 14 long balls in total over that span, posting a 4.72 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 33:13 K:BB in 55.1 innings. With the Cubs potentially looking to add reinforcements for their rotation at the trade deadline, Rea could conceivably lose his spot, but he currently lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Milwaukee.

Walter did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out five.

Walter got off to an inauspicious start Wednesday, allowing a home run to Ketel Marte on his first pitch of the game. However, the damage would stop there, as the left-hander held the D-Backs scoreless over his final six innings while allowing just three more hits. While he doesn't have a win since June 27, Walter has delivered three consecutive quality starts, allowing just four runs over 19 innings in that span. His ERA is down to 3.35 with a 0.93 WHIP and an impressive 52:4 K:BB across nine starts (53.2 innings) this season. Walter is currently in line to face the Nationals at home in his next outing.

Lugo (7-5) picked up the win in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the Cubs, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The veteran righty delivered his 11th quality start of the season on 95 pitches, with 30 called or swinging strikes among his 58 total strikes. Lugo has lasted at least six innings in six of his last seven outings as he potentially auditions for a contender ahead of the trade deadline, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 47:11 K:BB through 42.1 innings over that stretch. He lines up to make what could be his last start with the Royals at home early next week against Atlanta.

Castillo (7-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing six runs (three earned) on 10 hits over five innings. He struck out seven.

The 10 hits allowed matched a season high for Castillo, who would take his first loss since June 18 -- the right-hander had pitched to a stellar 1.46 ERA in four starts (24.2 innings) prior to Wednesday. Overall, Castillo sports a 3.30 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 107:36 K:BB over 21 starts (120 innings) this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week against the A's.

Priester (9-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out six.

Priester gave up a pair of runs in the second inning, but he'd stop the damage there, blanking Seattle over his final five frames en route to his third straight win. The 24-year-old Priester has delivered quality starts in four of his last five outings. His ERA is down to 3.28 with a 1.20 WHIP and 86:34 K:BB across 101.2 innings this season. Priester will look to keep rolling in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Cubs.

Pallante (5-7) took the loss Wednesday against the Rockies, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five.

It was another tough outing for Pallante, who gave up four runs in the second inning of an eventual 6-0 loss. The right-hander has now allowed 17 earned runs across just 15.2 innings in his last three starts. Pallante's ERA is up to 4.91 through 20 starts (110 innings) this season, to go along with a 1.37 WHIP and 72:36 K:BB.

Alexander is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to start Thursday against the Athletics in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

With Lance McCullers (finger) landing on the 15-day injured list, Alexander will be brought up from Triple-A to fill the opening in the Houston rotation. The 32-year-old right-hander has excelled over eight appearances (seven starts) with Sugar Land this season, notching a 1.69 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB across 42.2 innings. However, he hasn't had as much success in the majors, posting an 8.40 ERA across 15 innings between the Athletics and Astros. With a respectable showing Thursday, Alexander could be in store for additional turns through the rotation until Houston gets one or two of McCullers, Cristian Javier (elbow), Luis Garcia (elbow) or Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) back from the IL.

Gordon (2-2) earned the win Wednesday over the Cardinals, allowing four hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Gordon was excellent in his first major-league start since May 28, scattering six hits to earn his second win in a 6-0 shutout. The 27-year-old Gordon has pitched to a 3.13 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB across his first four starts (23 innings) this season. The right-hander figures to remain in Colorado's rotation moving forward after German Marquez (biceps) landed on the IL. Gordon is currently lined up to face the Guardians on the road in his next outing.