Tigers in wait (for White Sox) and see mode

The Tigers have a very telling weekend for their playoff chances coming up when they host the White Sox for three games starting Friday night at Comerica Park. With the nonwaiver trade deadline just a handful of days after that, how the Tigers perform will help determine whether Detroit becomes a buyer for the stretch run, especially on the pitching platform. At this point, it seems unlikely that the Tigers would undergo an instant dismantling if they don't perform well in the series, though it could force the organization to make a decision on pending free agent Ivan Rodriguez.

-- Jason Beck