Edwin Jackson's performance tonight could provide glimpse of what to expect from Tigers in playoffs

Tonight's game against the Chicago White Sox is big for the Detroit Tigers in more than one way.

Of course, it could help determine whether the Tigers win the American League Central.

But it also could be a harbinger of what to expect if the Tigers do make the playoffs. (As of today, Baseball Prospectus says the Tigers have a 92 percent chance of making the postseason.)

It's generally acknowledged that the Tigers (if they make it into the playoffs) won't be one of the strongest teams in the postseason.

But many analysts have offered a theory that provides hope to Tiger fans: If the Tigers get in, they could be tough to beat because power pitching is a key in the postseason and the Tigers have power pitching. Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello could shut down any opposing offense -- or so the theory goes.

That's very true when in comes to Verlander and it's a bit of a reach when it comes to the 20-year-old Porcello, although the youngster should match up OK with other No. 3 starters.

As far as Jackson goes, it depends on which Edwin Jackson shows up for the postseason. Is it the first-half Edwin Jackson, who had the second-best ERA in the league earlier in the season? Or is it the Edwin Jackson who has frequently struggled in recent weeks?

Jackson pitches tonight. And he pitches against Jake Peavy of the Chicago White Sox. Peavy, a former Cy Young winner, is exactly the type of pitcher the Tigers can expect to face in the playoffs.

If Jackson can't outduel Peavy tonight, what will it say about his chances of winning postseason games against other stud pitchers who can hold the Tigers' mediocre offense in check?

We should have a better idea after tonight whether the Tigers have the starting pitching to make a run for the World Series.