9/30: Open game thread

#Mariners shutting down Felix

— Bob Dutton (@TNT_Mariners) September 30, 2015

Thus ends Felix's worst season since at least 2008, and possibly his worst full season in the major leagues. You're smart enough to know not to fixate on that 18-9 W-L record. The FIP and walk rate were both the highest they've been since '08, the HR rate as high as it has been since 2006 and the fWAR (2.8) ends at acareer nadir.

Felix is going to have people questioning whether this is the beginning of the end of his time among baseball's very best pitcher. For 6 years, from 2009-2014 he was as consistently excellent as any non-Kershaw pitcher in the game. Now, with advancing age and his arm's ever-frightening odometer readings everyone is starting to worry. Felix will be aware of it, and I've learned not to doubt him over the years. But the most doubt-filled offseason of his career starts now. Time.

With Felix being shut down the Mariners officially, finally, have closed shop on the 2015 season. Yes they have four games left, but those games are now about 2016. The goal is to lose, but in such a way that the games don't become farcical. Tony Zych will get the ball, work maybe 2 innings, and then the rest of the bullpen will be trotted out against an Astros team that absolutely must win tonight.

So, Mariners: win. Win by losing. Save your draft pick. 2016 starts today.

Game info

• Astros @ Mariners, 7:10 PM PST, Safeco Field
• TV: ROOT, Radio: 710 ESPN, Online: MLBTV