This has been the plan all along and it sounds as though Haren is going to follow through. At age 34, Haren wasn't quite the same pitcher he once was, but he still did a solid job for the Cubs and Marlins this year posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. It's unknown whether he will see a postseason start or pitch out of Chicago's bullpen.

Dan Haren had a productive day for the Cubs. He allowed only one earned run on three hits with one walk and three strikeouts to lower his ERA to 3.60 for the season. Haren’s FIP was 4.61 but he finished the year 11 - 9 with 132 strikeouts in 187 1/3 innings between the Marlins and the Cubs. It is being reported that Haren will retire after the playoffs this year.

This was Haren’s first start since September 18. He’s likely to make one more start on the last day of the season against Milwaukee with the Cubs locked into the second wild card spot. Haren won’t be making any starts in the playoffs, so he’ll try to eat some innings for the Cubs on Sunday, and he probably shouldn’t be starting for your fantasy team on the last day of the season unless you’re desperate for a few extra Ks or a win.

Neither starter was in line for the win on Friday afternoon, but Haren “outdueled” the Cardinals Lance Lynn if you want to call it that by lasting longer and allowing fewer runs than him. Fantasy owners will be disappointed by Haren’s outing not only because he didn’t qualify for the win, but also because he only got two strikeouts. Expect things to be better for Haren in his next outing on Wednesday night against the Brewers.