Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week, I asked you what your biggest concern is about the Cubs. It’s very early in the season, but a small majority of respondents in the SB Nation Reacts survey said it’s the starting rotation:
This is a place where I don’t agree with the majority. As has been the case the last couple of years, the Cubs bench doesn’t appear very strong. On paper, with Dylan Carlson (who still hasn’t played!), Michael Conforto and Scott Kingery (plus whoever isn’t the starting catcher) as the bench players would seem better than last year’s selection of Jon Berti and Vidal Bruján (among others), but Craig Counsell hasn’t given those guys much playing time. Of the three mentioned above, only Conforto has started a game, and he doesn’t have a hit. Kingery has pinch-run — once — and as noted, Carlson hasn’t played at all.
I continue to believe that Carlson would be better in right field right now than either Conforto or Matt Shaw. But they don’t let me make that decision, so we’ll see what Counsell comes up with.
The survey was posted before Edward Cabrera and Matthew Boyd put together really good outings on Tuesday and Wednesday, so perhaps some of you who voted “starting pitching” might have a different vote now. How do you feel about the rotation after six games? Personally, I feel pretty good about it. Four of the five starters threw pretty well, and Shōta Imanaga made one bad pitch that was smacked for a three-run homer.
I think they’ll be fine, particularly after Justin Steele returns.
Here are the results of the national questions asked in the survey this week.
I’d concur with this vote, though now that the Pirates have called up Konnor Griffin and signed him to a long-term deal, perhaps he’d be the guy. Griffin is MLB’s No. 1 prospect and immediately becomes a strong Rookie of the Year candidate. And he doesn’t turn 20 until later this month.
I concur with this vote as well. Netflix paid big bucks to have the Yankees and Giants play a season opener as the only game, but… many folks don’t have Netflix and didn’t want to sign up just for that.
Over the past few seasons (before this year), MLB made a big deal about having all 30 teams play on Opening Day. I’d like to see them go back to that.
Thanks to all who participated in this week’s survey.
This edition of SB Nation Reacts is sponsored by FanDuel.
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