ATLANTA (Ticker) -- While the Chicago Cubs are trying to end a drought that has lasted nearly a century, the Atlanta Braves are attempting to avoid another disappointing showing in postseason.
The Cubs will try to win a playoff series for the first time since 1908 as they face the Atlanta Braves in the decisive fifth game of the National League Division Series Sunday night at Turner Field.
The Cubs have not won a playoff series since beating the Detroit Tigers in five games for the 1908 World Series.
The Braves are trying to avoid getting eliminated in the Division Series for the third time in four years. They were swept by St. Louis in 2000 and lost in five games to San Francisco last season.
Despite making 12 straight postseason appearances, Atlanta won the World Series only in 1995. It has made five World Series appearances but none since getting swept by the New York Yankees in 1999.
Atlanta evened the series and avoided a long offseason for one day with Saturday's 6-4 win at Wrigley Field. Leading the way was Chipper Jones, who homered from both sides of the plate. He hit two-run shots in the fifth and eighth inning.
The two homers came at a perfect time for the slumping Jones, who had five singles in the Division Series loss to San Francisco and managed one single in the first three games of this series.
Jones' big day helped offset the loss of slugger Gary Sheffield. Sheffield missed the game with a sore left hand and is questionable for Game Five.
"It was kind of a feeling of desperation today in the clubhouse," Jones said. "We knew it was basically winning this game or taking a vacation alone and it would have been a rough winter for us."
Chicago's Sammy Sosa went hitless in four at-bats and is just 3-for-13 in the series.
Chicago sends Kerry Wood (1-0, 2.45 ERA) to the mound, while Atlanta goes with Mike Hampton (0-0, 3.00).
Wood is making his third career postseason start. He started Game One and allowed two runs and two hits in 7 1/3 innings. He recorded 11 strikeouts and also delivered a two-run double in the sixth inning.
This is Wood's second start in an elimination game in the playoffs. He started Game Three of the 1998 Division Series also against Atlanta and lost to former Cub Greg Maddux.
"It's different for me from my standpoint because the team expected to be here this year," Wood said before Game Four. "(In) '98, I think we were a little surprised. I know everybody in the city was surprised to make the postseason. We were out in three games. This year we expect to win and go further and hopefully we can take care of business."
Hampton started Game Two and did not get a decision. He allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, striking out nine and walking five.
Hampton is starting on three days' rest in the playoffs for the first time. However, Hampton has pitched in games in which his team has had a chance to eliminate an opponent.
The lefthander started Game Five of the 2000 National League Championship Series for the New York Mets vs. St. Louis. In that game, he pitched a three-hitter and struck out eight.
The winner of this series faces the Florida Marlins in Game One of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday.
