What happened: Detroit's recent run of form has reshaped the conversation around left-hander Tarik Skubal ahead of the trade deadline. What looked like a near-certain sell-off earlier in the season is now far less clear with the Tigers riding a hot stretch. The question of whether Detroit moves its ace increasingly hinges on whether the team stays competitive.

Why it matters: Skubal is the most coveted arm potentially available, and Detroit's front office faces a fork: cash in on peak trade value or hold and chase a postseason push. Earlier in the cycle, a trade was pegged as roughly a 90 percent likelihood, but a winning club changes the math on dealing a frontline starter. Every series result now carries deadline weight.

What to watch: Watch Detroit's results as the deadline nears and how the front office reads its contention window. Skubal's role and health will remain central to any decision.