Manager David Ross vows the Cubs aren’t in a developmental process despite a second consecutive midseason selloff.
“Right now, we’re trying to win baseball games,” Ross said before Adrian Sampson pitched seven innings of three-hit ball to thump the Reds 6-1 for their fifth consecutive victory.
“Once the game starts, development goes out the window if guys are healthy.”
Despite not possessing the billing of a prospect, Sampson, who turns 31 Oct. 7, has pitched himself into the mix for 2023. Sampson has allowed two runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts and has pitched at least six innings in five consecutive starts — the longest stretch by a Cub since Yu Darvish (seven) July 31-Sept.