There was a distinct worry that the fall-off from the top of the Cincinnati Reds rotation to its back-end would be precipitous. In Connor Overton’s first start of the season on Monday, those fears were certainly not allayed.
An early Overton meatball was clubbed for a 3-run homer by Cody Bellinger to put the Reds in a 3-0 hole against the Chicago Cubs that they eventually climbed out of completely, but Overton’s day ended early - his final line of 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, BB, 5 K on 80 pitches reads just as unispiring now as it did at the time.