As the latter half of this season begins at Petco Park, a pitcher the Padres contemplated signing and a pitcher they recently reintegrated will duel from atop the mound. Regardless of Friday’s outcome, it will be difficult not to wonder about what might have been.



Dallas Keuchel, the visiting starter for the Atlanta Braves, ended his marathon free agency in early June. Dinelson Lamet, the Padres’ scheduled hurler, completed his comeback from Tommy John surgery on July 4. The likelihood of his return partly explained why the Padres stopped considering Keuchel about a month into the season.



Not that long ago, Keuchel was a top-of-the-rotation stud. Now 31, he qualifies as proven, durable and experienced. In San Diego, this year’s roster has lacked such qualities.



Yet the Padres reached the All-Star break as a .500 team, and not in spite of their starters. Through 90 games, the majors’ youngest collection has logged a 4.31 Fielding...