Detroit Tigers Links: Doug Fister's effectiveness & Andy Dirks' knee

Why Doug Fister has been so effective for the Detroit Tigers
ESPN, Buster Olney
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Nick Castellanos' bat makes him potential left-field option for Tigers
The Detroit News, Lynn Henning

Should Castellanos be warming up in the manner expected he will be an hour's drive from his Comerica Park debut.

Tigers have to play everybody — including Don Kelly, Ramon Santiago
Detroit Free Press, Shawn Windsor

This isn't football, where nonstarters are there to replace injured starters and make sure practice runs smoothly.

Dirks' knee hasn't been 100 percent since spring training, but it's getting better
Out of Left Field, Matthew B. Mowery

It wasn’t exactly an edict. More of a recommendation that Andy Dirks skip winter ball this time around.

Could Detroit break team strikeout record?
SweetSpot Blog, Matt Meyers

That's right, a current member of the Tigers holds the franchise record for strikeouts in a game, and it's not Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer.

What Happens to Ground Balls Hit Off Tigers Pitchers?
Tiger Tales, Lee Panas

As often happens in a Rick Porcello start, a discussion about Tigers infield defense broke out on Twitter yesterday afternoon.

Around the AL Central:

MLB Final Score: Kansas City Royals 9, Cleveland Indians 0
Let's Go Tribe

Ugliness abounded in game one.

Royals Throttle Masterson and the Racists 9 - 0
Royals Review

Guthrie worked around base-runners while his Cleveland counterpart was not so lucky. The entire Royals line-up got involved in the drubbing.

Fast Reaction: Twins 5, Rangers 0
Twinkie Town

Correia goes eight strong innings and Morneau goes yard as the Twins split the four-game set with the Rangers with a 5-0 win Sunday afternoon.

Rays 8, White Sox 3: Home or away, woes remain
South Side Sox, Jim Margalus

Offense goes quiet, defense falters in finale of 10-day homestand.

Elsewhere in baseball:

Manufactured Runs: The Hawk Trap
Baseball Prospectus, Colin Wyers

Breaking down the debate about sabermetrics between Brian Kenny and Hawk Harrelson.

Bryce Harper’s First 162 Games
FanGraphs Baseball, Dave Cameron

A year ago today, the Washington Nationals called Bryce Harper up to the big leagues, so he officially has one full season of Major League Baseball under his belt.

David Price is not happy with umpire Tom Hallion
HardballTalk, Bill Baer

Rays lefty David Price held the White Sox to three runs over seven innings en route to an 8-3 victory, his first of the season, but Price was furious thanks to umpire Tom Hallion.

Baseball in THE YEAR 3000
Baseball Nation, Rob Neyer

Caught your attention with that headline, didn't I?