AP Sports Preview CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs, seeking their fourth consecutive win over Cincinnati, host the Reds on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field. First pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. under mostly cloudy skies and a temperature of 56 degrees. The Cubs (24-12) lead the National League Central and have dominated this four-game series. They took the opener 5-4 on Monday, won 3-2 in 10 innings Tuesday and won again 4-2 on Wednesday. A sweep would extend Chicago’s winning streak to five. Cincinnati (20-16) has lost four of five overall — including three straight in Pittsburgh before arriving at Wrigley — and is in danger of falling further behind in the division race. Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder (3-2) is scheduled to start. The rookie has been inconsistent, allowing five earned runs in four innings April 24 against Detroit then throwing six shutout innings in a win over Colorado on April 30. He last pitched Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 3-2 loss. Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon, listed as the probable starter, has been a workhorse. Over his past five outings — all wins — he has pitched at least five innings each time, including a 3-2 victory Tuesday where he allowed two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 frames. He struck out five. Taillon has not lost since last September. Key players to watch include Cincinnati left-hander Andrew Abbott, who has struggled this season, allowing 17 earned runs over his last three starts (12 2/3 innings). However, he was sharp in Tuesday’s no-decision, yielding no earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. For the Cubs, first baseman Michael Busch had three hits, including a home run and two RBIs in Tuesday’s win. Outfielder Nathaniel Lowe homered for Cincinnati in that game. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-3 Cubs victory, and the ELO system gives Chicago a 63.7% chance of winning. After this series, Cincinnati returns home to face Houston beginning Friday. Chicago travels to Texas for a three-game set at the Rangers starting Friday.