SB Nation Reacts: Cubs fans are split on the team so far in 2021

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in Chicago Cubs fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

According to the latest SB Nation Reacts survey, 46 percent of Cubs fans are confident the team is headed in the right direction. That’s up from 39 percent to start the season, although it’s still not where any of us would want to see the team.

On the other hand, Cubs fans are thumbs-down regarding confidence in the team’s so-far sputtering offense:

Hopefully, both the offense and confidence in it will improve as the season goes on.

The other part of this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey asked about the biggest surprise around MLB so far in 2021. According to fans around the SB Nation network, 28-year-old Chicago White Sox rookie Yermin Mercedes’ red-hot start at the plate is the most shocking outcome of the season’s first week. Personally, I’d agree with that — I can’t imagine anyone saw that coming. Mercedes hit .277/.333/.340 with no home runs in spring training and only made the Sox Opening Day roster because of Eloy Jimenez’ injury. Mercedes currently leads MLB in hits (15), BA (.556) and OPS+ (312).

Mercedes earned 42 percent of the vote, beating out the slow start by Atlanta which took 23 percent, the Baltimore Orioles’ hot start had 18 percent and Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani’s two-way success received 9 percent.

To vote in the Reacts surveys and have your voice heard each week, sign up here.