With Astros' rotation stabilized, Justin Verlander's postseason role TBD

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Lingering behind every Framber Valdez gem, every step toward stardom for Hunter Brown and every stabilizing victory from Yusei Kikuchi, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti, is a question surrounding the sixth and currently shakiest member of Houston's steadied rotation, a future Hall of Famer searching to find his way again. 

As the Astros track toward a fourth straight division title and an eighth straight season of postseason baseball, how, if at all, will Justin Verlander fit into their October mix? 

The query does not yet require an answer, even as Valdez and Brown have established themselves as the team's clear-cut top duo, as Kikuchi has settled a rotation previously in flux, and as Blanco and Arrighetti have emerged as the next-best postseason starting options for the time being. 

The form that will one day have Cooperstown calling has eluded Verlander since his return from a two-plus month stint on the injured list. Few opportunities remain for the three-time Cy Young Award winner to demonstrate his worthiness of a postseason roster spot for reasons beyond pedigree and prestige. But for now, with 11 regular-season games left on the schedule, the Astros coaching staff is still expressing optimism that the 41-year-old will get right while acknowledging the stark reality of the calendar. 

"We don't have that many games left," manager Joe Espada said before Verlander's last outing Saturday in Anaheim, "and every start is impactful." 

Houston's five-game division lead over the Mariners should afford the club time to run its decision out, likely giving Verlander two more chances to look more like the pitcher who had a 3.95 ERA prior to his neck injury and less like the version who has amassed an 8.34