Champions League winner and five-time Bundesliga champion Niklas Süle has announced his retirement at the age of 30 after an injury scare led him to reconsider his future. The Borussia Dortmund and Germany defender is leaving soccer at the end of the season, when his contract at the club was already due to expire. “I’m very, very clear about my decision,” Süle said on the Spielmacher podcast in an episode released Thursday.

As Barcelona prepare for a potentially title-winning El Clasico against Real Madrid, defender Ronald Araujo has spoken with confidence, calmness, and honesty ahead of one of the biggest matches of the…

Young French striker is showing he’s ready for the limelight, and the scrutiny that comes with if

The post Red Wings Prospect Keeps Even Keel Through Up-And-Down Season appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now. From the Grand Rapids Griffins to the Detroit Red Wings and back to the Griffins, forward Carter Mazur is living […] The post Red Wings Prospect Keeps Even Keel Through Up-And-Down Season appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Tampa Bay Rays (24-12, second in the AL East) vs. Boston Red Sox (16-21, fifth in the AL East)

Boston; Thursday, 7:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Griffin Jax (1-2, 5.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 14 strikeouts); Red Sox: Jake Bennett (1-0, 1.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, three strikeouts)

LINE: Red Sox -120, Rays +101; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday to begin a four-game series.

Boston has a 16-21 record overall and a 6-10 record in home games. The Red Sox are 10-5 in games when they did not allow a home run.

Tampa Bay is 10-8 in road games and 24-12 overall. Rays hitters are batting a collective .254, the fifth-best team batting average in MLB play.

The teams meet Thursday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Wilyer Abreu has a .299 batting average to lead the Red Sox, and has six doubles, a triple and five home runs. Ceddanne Rafaela is 13 for 40 with a home run and six RBIs over the past 10 games.

Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with a .318 batting average, and has three doubles, a triple, five home runs, 13 walks and 22 RBIs. Jonathan Aranda is 14 for 35 with a home run and eight RBIs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Red Sox: 6-4, .247 batting average, 2.83 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs

Rays: 9-1, .247 batting average, 1.20 ERA, outscored opponents by 18 runs

INJURIES: Red Sox: Roman Anthony: day-to-day (wrist), Danny Coulombe: 15-Day IL (cervical spasms), Patrick Sandoval: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ranger Suarez: day-to-day (hamstring), Justin Slaten: 15-Day IL (oblique), Garrett Crochet: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Kutter Crawford: 15-Day IL (wrist), Triston Casas: 60-Day IL (knee), Johan Oviedo: 60-Day IL (elbow), Romy Gonzalez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tanner Houck: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Rays: Steven Matz: 15-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Lux: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Pepiot: 60-Day IL (hip), Joe Boyle: 15-Day IL (elbow), Edwin Uceta: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Steven Wilson: 60-Day IL (back), Manuel Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mason Englert: 15-Day IL (forearm), Michael Grove: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Athletics (18-18, first in the AL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (17-20, second in the NL East)

Philadelphia; Thursday, 6:40 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Athletics: J.T. Ginn (0-1, 4.30 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 23 strikeouts); Phillies: Andrew Painter (1-3, 5.28 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 28 strikeouts)

LINE: Phillies -138, Athletics +116; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the Athletics trying to continue a five-game home winning streak.

Philadelphia has gone 10-10 at home and 17-20 overall. The Phillies rank seventh in the NL with 40 total home runs, averaging 1.1 per game.

The Athletics are 18-18 overall and 10-10 on the road. The Athletics have a 7-4 record in games decided by one run.

Thursday’s game is the third meeting between these teams this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Marsh has seven doubles, a triple, four home runs and 19 RBIs for the Phillies. Bryce Harper is 11 for 37 with four doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games.

Tyler Soderstrom has 11 doubles, a triple and five home runs while hitting .217 for the Athletics. Shea Langeliers is 18 for 45 with five doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Phillies: 8-2, .256 batting average, 2.83 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runs

Athletics: 4-6, .267 batting average, 5.01 ERA, outscored by 13 runs

INJURIES: Phillies: Kyle Backhus: 15-Day IL (elbow), Zach Pop: 15-Day IL (calf), Max Lazar: 60-Day IL (oblique)

Athletics: Denzel Clarke: 10-Day IL (foot), Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (hand), Gunnar Hoglund: 60-Day IL (knee)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Pittsburgh Pirates (20-17, fourth in the NL Central) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (17-18, third in the NL West)

Phoenix; Thursday, 3:40 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Mitch Keller (3-1, 2.85 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 31 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (1-2, 4.45 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 20 strikeouts)

LINE: Pirates -111, Diamondbacks -108; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates meet on Thursday with the winner claiming the three-game series.

Arizona has a 10-7 record at home and a 17-18 record overall. The Diamondbacks are 5-3 in games when they hit at least two home runs.

Pittsburgh is 20-17 overall and 9-8 on the road. The Pirates have gone 12-6 in games when they did not allow a home run.

Thursday’s game is the third time these teams square off this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ildemaro Vargas has a .364 batting average to lead the Diamondbacks, and has seven doubles, two triples and six home runs. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is 11 for 36 with three RBIs over the last 10 games.

Brandon Lowe has eight doubles, nine home runs and 22 RBIs for the Pirates. Henry Davis is 4 for 34 with two home runs and four RBIs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Diamondbacks: 3-7, .226 batting average, 5.82 ERA, outscored by 15 runs

Pirates: 4-6, .251 batting average, 5.01 ERA, outscored by six runs

INJURIES: Diamondbacks: Carlos Santana: 10-Day IL (groin), Jordan Lawlar: 60-Day IL (wrist), Tyler Locklear: 10-Day IL (elbow), A.J. Puk: 60-Day IL (elbow), Blake Walston: 60-Day IL (elbow), Andrew Saalfrank: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Cristian Mena: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Corbin Burnes: 60-Day IL (elbow), Pavin Smith: 60-Day IL (elbow), Justin Martinez: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Pirates: Jared Jones: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

St. Louis Cardinals (21-15, second in the NL Central) vs. San Diego Padres (22-14, second in the NL West)

San Diego; Thursday, 10:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Matthew Liberatore (1-1, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 23 strikeouts); Padres: Michael King (3-2, 2.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 39 strikeouts)

LINE: Padres -177, Cardinals +148; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres host the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday to begin a four-game series.

San Diego has a 22-14 record overall and an 11-8 record at home. The Padres have gone 15-1 in games when they scored at least five runs.

St. Louis has a 21-15 record overall and an 11-5 record in road games. The Cardinals rank ninth in MLB play with 44 total home runs, averaging 1.2 per game.

The matchup Thursday is the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.

TOP PERFORMERS: Xander Bogaerts has a .276 batting average to lead the Padres, and has two doubles and seven home runs. Miguel Andujar is 12 for 39 with two home runs and eight RBIs over the past 10 games.

Jordan Walker leads the Cardinals with a .303 batting average, and has six doubles, 10 home runs, 16 walks and 27 RBIs. Alec Burleson is 12 for 40 with two home runs and 12 RBIs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Padres: 4-6, .234 batting average, 5.73 ERA, outscored by 10 runs

Cardinals: 7-3, .249 batting average, 3.50 ERA, outscored opponents by 13 runs

INJURIES: Padres: Jake Cronenworth: 7-Day IL (concussion), Will Wagner: 10-Day IL (oblique), German Marquez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jhony Brito: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bryan Hoeing: 60-Day IL (elbow), Nick Pivetta: 15-Day IL (elbow), Joe Musgrove: 15-Day IL (elbow)

Cardinals: Ramon Urias: 10-Day IL (elbow), Matt Pushard: 15-Day IL (knee), Lars Nootbaar: 60-Day IL (heels)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cincinnati Reds (20-17, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Chicago Cubs (25-12, first in the NL Central)

Chicago; Thursday, 2:20 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Rhett Lowder (3-2, 5.09 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 26 strikeouts); Cubs: Shota Imanaga (3-2, 2.40 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 43 strikeouts)

LINE: Cubs -200, Reds +165; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds enter the matchup against the Chicago Cubs after losing six in a row.

Chicago has a 17-5 record at home and a 25-12 record overall. The Cubs have gone 9-2 in games decided by one run.

Cincinnati has a 20-17 record overall and a 10-9 record in road games. The Reds have hit 50 total home runs to rank third in MLB play.

The teams play Thursday for the fourth time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with a .290 batting average, and has 10 doubles, four home runs, 15 walks and 27 RBIs. Seiya Suzuki is 12 for 38 with three home runs and seven RBIs over the last 10 games.

Nathaniel Lowe has five doubles and six home runs for the Reds. JJ Bleday is 9 for 29 with a double and four home runs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cubs: 8-2, .234 batting average, 4.00 ERA, outscored opponents by eight runs

Reds: 2-8, .232 batting average, 6.77 ERA, outscored by 31 runs

INJURIES: Cubs: Matthew Boyd: 15-Day IL (knee), Jordan Wicks: 15-Day IL (forearm), Ethan Roberts: 15-Day IL (finger), Riley Martin: 15-Day IL (elbow), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (tricep), Porter Hodge: 60-Day IL (elbow), Caleb Thielbar: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Shelby Miller: 60-Day IL (elbow), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow), Christopher Austin: 60-Day IL (knee), Cade Horton: 60-Day IL (forearm)

Reds: Brandon Williamson: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Emilio Pagan: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Caleb Ferguson: 15-Day IL (oblique), Nick Lodolo: 15-Day IL (finger), Eugenio Suarez: 10-Day IL (oblique), Hunter Greene: 60-Day IL (elbow)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cleveland Guardians (19-19, first in the AL Central) vs. Kansas City Royals (17-20, fourth in the AL Central)

Kansas City, Missouri; Thursday, 2:10 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Guardians: Slade Cecconi (1-4, 6.56 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 28 strikeouts); Royals: Seth Lugo (1-1, 2.68 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 37 strikeouts)

LINE: Royals -143, Guardians +120; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals play the Cleveland Guardians, leading the series 2-1.

Kansas City is 11-8 at home and 17-20 overall. The Royals have a 3-5 record in games decided by one run.

Cleveland has a 19-19 record overall and a 10-12 record on the road. The Guardians have an 8-2 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.

The teams square off Thursday for the seventh time this season. The season series is tied 3-3.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bobby Witt Jr. has 10 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 16 RBIs for the Royals. Jac Caglianone is 6 for 28 with three home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games.

Jose Ramirez has eight doubles and six home runs for the Guardians. Chase DeLauter is 18 for 35 with four doubles and a home run over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 7-3, .240 batting average, 3.56 ERA, outscored opponents by eight runs

Guardians: 4-6, .225 batting average, 3.87 ERA, outscored by one run

INJURIES: Royals: Cole Ragans: day-to-day (tricep/elbow), Carlos Estevez: 15-Day IL (foot), Bailey Falter: 15-Day IL (elbow), Jonathan India: 10-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Guardians: Shawn Armstrong: 15-Day IL (groin), Gabriel Arias: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Andrew Walters: 15-Day IL (lat)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.