CINCINNATI (Interstat) — A first-place team hosting a last-place team might seem like a mismatch on paper, but the Cincinnati Reds welcome the Kansas City Royals to Great American Ball Park on Monday night with a chance to build on their early-season success. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. under cloudy skies with temperatures around 70 degrees. The Reds (30-28) have won four of their last six games and sit atop the National League Central. The Royals (22-37) currently occupy the basement of the American League Central after dropping three straight games in Texas over the weekend, including a 6-3 loss Sunday. Cincinnati sends left-hander Nick Lodolo to the mound. Lodolo is coming off a strong outing Wednesday against Atlanta, throwing 6 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out four in a 6-4 victory. He has a 2-3 record this season. Over his last two starts, Lodolo has pitched 12 2/3 innings with four earned runs and 11 strikeouts. Kansas City counters with rookie right-hander Chase Burns, who has been one of the bright spots in a difficult season. Burns enters with a 7-1 record, the best winning percentage on the Royals staff. Second baseman Michael Massey leads the Royals’ attack. Massey homered and drove in two runs in Sunday’s loss, going 2-for-3. In his last 10 games, Massey is batting .238 with one home run and four RBIs, though he has hit safely in two of his last three contests. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Reds victory. Cincinnati is installed as a -1.5 favorite on the run line, with the over/under set at 9 total runs. The teams will continue the three-game interleague series Tuesday and Wednesday before the Royals travel to Minnesota and the Reds visit St. Louis.