Doug Fister is starting to look like Mike Mussina, Andy Dirks continues to hit since returning from the DL, and Rajai Davis makes a pretty spectacular catch. These stories and the most amazing boat you'll ever see in today's Morning Prowl.
Tigers links:
Doug Fister Is Starting to Look Like Mike Mussina -- FanGraphs Baseball, Dave Cameron
"When Doug Fister broke into the big leagues, he was a soft-tossing, pitch-to-contact change-up artist, who threw strikes with mediocre stuff and projected as a back-of-the-rotation innings eater or a bullpen guy."
Tigers' Prince Fielder showing he's more than a power hitter -- The Detroit News
"They knew Prince Fielder would hit for power and drive in runs - which he is doing. What the Tigers did not know, however, is after 114 games, he would be hitting .311, higher than he's ever hit in the majors. And, he's cutting down on his strikeouts."
Ivan Rodriguez: Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander is best pitcher in baseball right now -- MLive.com, Chris Iott
"Rodriguez spoke highly of the Tigers prior to being honored in a pregame ceremony on the field as a member of the Texas Rangers 40th anniversary all-time team."
Dirks Continues to Hit -- The Tigers Den, Brian Buckey
"Andy Dirks flew out to center field to end the Tigers’ 4-3 loss against the Yankees on Thursday afternoon. But that’s no indication of how he has played since coming back from the DL."
The Somewhat Quiet Emergence Of Bruce Rondon -- Motor City Bengals, John Verburg
"With Nick Castellanos dominating high A ball this season in Lakeland, he has dominated the talk of the minor league system for the Tigers, and rightfully so. One hurler that has emerged however is fire-baller Bruce Rondon."
Around the AL Central:
Game 116: Red Sox 14, Indians 1 -- Let's Go Tribe
"But at a certain point--after hearing phrases like, "he doesn't have his best stuff today" or "he's just not locating his pitches" more times than I could keep track of--I kind of stopped giving the game my full attention."
Rays 7, Twins 3: Minnesota's Bullpen Implodes In the Tenth -- Twinkie Town
"Twins get swept at home. Again."
White Sox 7, Athletics 3: Hitting, then hitting the road -- South Side Sox, Jim Margalus
"Chris Sale struck out 11 batters over 6 2/3 innings as the Sox closed out a homestand with a much-needed comfortable victory."
Royals Lose 5 - 3, Split Four-Game Series in Baltimore -- Royals Review
"Well, it was a big day for Greek baseball at Camden Yards with both Mike Moustakas and Nick Markakis hanging majestic Grecian dong. That's about all that happened, though."
Elsewhere in baseball:
DeLorean hovercraft appears in McCovey Cove for Giants game (VIDEO) -- Big League Stew, David Brown
I need to meet this man.
The Stories You'd Be Reading If The First Half Didn't Exist -- Baseball Nation, Grant Brisbee
"If the first half of the season didn't exist, what sort of silly narratives would you be reading right now?"
Rajai Davis knows timing is everything -- HardballTalk, Matthew Pouliot
"Look at the way Rajai Davis sets up for one of the best catches you'll see all year."