Cool F/X chart. You did notice, of course, that Felix's second start in '14 and '15 saw him throw the heater eggs-actly as fast as he threw it in his second start in '16? OK, he was more hopped up on Opening Day in '14 and '15 than in '16, but give the guy some zen-like calm that comes with his upteeenth Opening Day start.
Start #2 this season was spot on to recent previous performance. Nothing to look at here.
You did notice, of course, that in both '14 and '15 the general trend of Felix's FB was a slope heading up and to the right (not to be confused with Oliver Stone's lame, "Back and to the left!").
As the weather warms up, Felix chucks it a bit harder, in general.
Hey, he's struck out 11 guys per 9 and allowed 2.8 hits per 9 so far this season. Don't worry, be happy!
Tom Seaver, he of a bagillion innings on his right arm, K'ed 8 guys a game, like clockwork, until he turned 34. Then it fell to 6. He still had some of those 16-6 and 14-2 seasons left in him.
Bob Gibson averaged 8 until his age 35 season (a Cy season, btw) then it fell to 7 and lower. Pay no matter, he went 19-11 at 36.
Feed Felix a Geritol breakfast, let him gum some oatmeal, and roll him out there with no worries. He's still got years on Tom Terrific and Rapid Robert. Come June his arm will be just a bit more juiced than it is now. Until then, enjoy the cruise missile precision strikes. They'll do just fine.
Moe