Cubs watchers graded Craig Counsell on his season performance; here’s what he got

Cubs manager Craig Counsell has taken his share of abuse from fans online this season. And by “fans,” we don’t mean the ones in Milwaukee.

But then the Cubs went and won a playoff series. Did you catch wind of that? It’s true.

In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on the social platform X, we asked respondents to give Counsell a letter grade for his performance in Year 2 on the job.

“The team is too talented to give him better than a C,” @JRRey0124 commented.

“He’s gotten the Cubs to the second round, which is a success, but his use of the bullpen is giving me ulcers,” @JeffreyCanalia wrote.

Next, we asked if the Blackhawks will reach the playoffs this season. What, you think we’re kidding?

“You’re looking at probably another bottom-five finish,” @BV_1109 predicted.

Last, we wanted your way-too-early picks for MVP of the upcoming Bulls season. Josh Giddey? Coby White? Nikola Vucevic?

“It better be Matas Buzelis,” @cdcole55 wrote, “or the Bulls are going to have even more issues.”

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: Give Craig Counsell a grade for his second season as Cubs manager.

Upshot: Clearly, voters B-lieve in the guy. Did you see what we did there? You’re right, we really are amazingly clever sometimes.

Poll No. 2: Will the Blackhawks make it back to the playoffs this season?

Upshot: According to our math — hang on, still working on it — this might possibly maybe be adding up to a “no.”

Poll No. 3: Who’s your way-early pick for Bulls MVP this season?

Upshot: Respondent @daparkerson opined that votes for Buzelis are merely “a plea for something positive and interesting to happen” with the Bulls. If that’s meant to imply the Kevin Huerter Experience has been anything less than a thrill ride, we won’t stand for it.