Rotation questions linger for contenders

While any number of factors — many of them unforeseen — wind up deciding both the October field and its ultimate result, it is only natural that our first order of business in assessing the postseason picture is to hone in on the rotations.

And right now, among contenders, there are a ton of starting pitching questions hanging in the air.

• Did a Mariners-Orioles trade change the complexion of the American League Wild Card chase?

At the non-waiver Trade Deadline, the Orioles gave up Ariel Miranda to get Wade Miley from the Mariners and, well, let’s just say Miley hasn’t exactly been an upgrade for that much-maligned O’s rotation.

But the M’s have been baseball’s hottest team of late in part because of Miranda’s key contributions. He is 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA with Seattle and hasn’t allowed any runs in his last seven innings. The Mariners have been one of the streakiest teams in baseball this season, and their rotation hasn’t always been the backbone it was hoped to be. But right now, with Miranda pitching in, Taijuan Walker (who allowed no walks while striking out 11 in a shutout of the Angels on Tuesday) seemingly having turned the corner and James Paxton and some guy named Felix Hernandez healthy, this is a dangerous ballclub that will play seven of its final 10 against also-rans.

That O’s-M’s trade could loom large as those clubs butt heads in the playoff pursuit.

• How much longer can the Orioles ride Dylan Bundy?

Back in Spring Training, the O’s were talking about capping Bundy, who had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and opened the year in the bullpen, at about 70 innings. He’s now at 99 2/3, having been thrust into their second-half rotation out of desperation. The Orioles have gotten quality work out of Bundy (115 ERA+), but as he’s ventured into unchartered workload, consistency has not been a strength and some command woes have crept up from time to time. Piecing together and effective starting group has been a struggle for this club all year, and monitoring Bundy’s pitch counts and how his arm responds remains a must.

• Can the Nationals thrive without Stephen Strasburg?

Here we go again. The Nats are entering October without the uber-talented but oft-injured Strasburg, and this time it’s not by choice. But they are well-positioned to absorb the blow at the top end. Max Scherzer, who starts Friday night in Atlanta, is a National League …

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