This just might be the best Red Sox team ... ever  —  This fascinates me, more than it probably should: Since the advent of the 162-game schedule, the Boston Red Sox have never won 100 games.  Of course, many franchises have failed to achieve that mark, but it's interesting in Boston's case …

Daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Saturday  —  Saturday brings us a full slate of action that features plenty of notable matchups.  The Yankees and Red Sox face off in Game 3 of a four-game set, the Dodgers and Astros meet in a rematch of the 2017 World Series …

Cincinnati Reds notes: Mahle sent to Triple-A, Schebler returned from rehab after struggling to throw  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rookie right-hander Tyler Mahle looked lost in his last four starts with the Reds.  —  The club decided to send him to Triple-A Louisville to find himself.

D-backs designate Chris Owings for assignment as Andrew Chafin returns  —  Utility man Chris Owings was designated for assignment on Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks take reliever Andrew Chafin off the paternity leave list.  —  Entering the season behind shortstop Nick Ahmed …

Retired Andre Ethier honored by Dodgers for stellar career  —  LOS ANGELES — Andre Ethier approached this offseason with the intent of playing.  He took batting practice regularly, worked out vigorously and waited for the opportunity that ultimately never materialized.

Emotional Shane Victorino retires from baseball as a member of the Phillies  —  Shane Victorino vowed he would be brief.  He made no such promises about not getting emotional.  —  And so, as the former Phillies centerfielder wrapped up his short speech Friday night at Citizens Bank Park …

Cards' Dexter Fowler fractures foot  —  A tough season for St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler got even worse Friday night.  —  Fowler left St. Louis' 7-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning with a left foot injury.  X-rays taken later showed a slight fracture …

Holland released; Lyons to Memphis; Bader doesn't start  —  PITTSBURGH  • One of the two relievers the Cardinals designated for assignment a week ago found a new home Friday and the other was released.  —  Lefthander Tyler Lyons has been outrighted to Class AAA Memphis after going through waivers.

Cubs place struggling reliever Brian Duensing on disabled list, recall Randy Rosario  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cubs left-handed relief pitcher Brian Duensing was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday with left shoulder inflammation, his second DL stint this season.

New White Sox catcher: Prospects Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech are ‘ready to go’  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech remain in the minors.  But, hey, at least someone from Triple-A Charlotte got promoted Friday — catcher Dustin Garneau.

Rangers' Rougned Odor becomes first player in history to accomplish this feat  —  Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor might be the last player you might expect to set a record with walks, but he did just that on Thursday night.  —  In a 17-8 win against the Orioles …

White Sox reliever Tyler Danish excited to play where he grew up watching Rays  —  Chicago Tribune  —  White Sox reliever Tyler Danish grew up 45 minutes from Tropicana Field, dreaming of becoming the next James Shields.  —  Now Shields, who was with the Rays then, is a Sox teammate …

If Phillies front office doesn't believe, you shouldn't either |  Bob Ford  —  The long haul of baseball's regular season has only two months to go, and I still don't know whether to take the Phillies seriously.  It's probably just about time to decide.  —  The standings insist they are contenders …

Cole Hamels looks for longer outings as he gets into a routine with the Cubs  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Cole Hamels pitched only five innings in his Cubs debut Wednesday, but he expects to go longer from here on out now that he's back on a schedule.  —  “To get back in a routine, every five games …

Is positionless baseball MLB's next big thing?  —  The team whose work at the trade deadline most intrigued me was easily the Milwaukee Brewers, who made not one but two moves that led to a knee-jerk reaction of, “huh?”  Believe it or not, that's not a criticism.

Bellinger, Pederson, Puig power Dodgers in rout of Brewers  —  Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger (35) is congratulated by Justin Turner, left, and Manny Machado after hitting a grand slam, as Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz watches during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles.

Indians activate reliever Andrew Miller from disabled list  —  Andrew Miller has watched every game for two months.  He's now ready to help the Cleveland Indians accomplish something special.  —  Miller was activated from the 60-day disabled list Friday after being out because of inflammation in his right knee.