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Braves Smooth Sailing

The Chicago Cubs' season has reached meltdown status.

Mired in a season-high five-game losing streak after committing hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the team - and one day after their ace and starting catcher were involved in two fights - the Cubs (22-30) continue a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves (31-23) on Saturday.

Twins Want Revenge

Coming off a sweep of an AL Central rival, Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire insists his players won't have revenge on their minds when they face the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum on Friday.

It will be the first meeting between the clubs since the A's swept Minnesota in last year's AL division series, with the clincher coming in Oakland on Oct. 6.

Yankees at Red Sox

The last time the New York Yankees visited Boston, they blew leads in three straight games en route to being swept at Fenway Park for the first time in nearly 17 years.

That was the beginning of a tough stretch for the Yankees, who hope to reverse their fortunes in the opener of a three-game set against the Red Sox on Friday night.

Frustration

After being swept in their most recent series, the struggling Chicago Cubs won't have it any easier in the opener of a three-game set against the Atlanta Braves on Friday at Wrigley Field.

Chicago (22-29) fell 9-0 to Florida on Wednesday for its season high-tying fourth consecutive loss.

"It has been a little bit frustrating," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, whose team has lost eight of its last 10 and is 10-15 at home. "But everybody's on the same page and we just go forward.''

May Frustration

May has not been a very good month for the Texas Rangers. In fact, one more loss will make it the worst May in their history.

The struggling Rangers hope to avoid that dubious distinction Thursday night when they open a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.