Topps, in an effort to get ahead of the game, decided to include Cliff Lee in their Opening Day series as a Mariner. After some harmless photoshopping they came up with a pretty good representation of what Clifton will look like in a Mariners uni. Only one problem, are the Mariners honoring HK this year with a patch identical to the one The Fightins wore last year? I think it’s time again to hop in my roflcopter and do a barrellawl.

(H/T to Phillies Zone and Crossing Broad)

Special thanks to dmac for the source video.

Hopefully, he’s on point again today.

In about a half-hour from now, the Phillies will go for the series sweep against the Cubs at Wrigley, and our recently acquired hope, Clifton Phifer Lee, looks to improve his record to 3-0 as a Phillie. Ibanez gets a day off after going picking up his first homer of August last night, and Paul Bako will once again handle the catching duties for Mr. Lee.

If you need a reference for the headline and accompanying pic, I feel bad for you, but I still put it after the jump.

Top notch baby, never coming less. Sky’s the limit, you got’sta believe up in Cliff.

(Beautiful Tribe-inspired Cliff Lee image courtesy of the man who brought you the 2009 Guide to Phillies Facial Hair.)

ANNOUNCEMENT: If you notice a lack of material from me over the next… oh, I dunno… six months-or-so, it’s not because I don’t love you guys, but I just love Madden 10 more. I can’t stop thinking about it. Since Saturday, me & my advanced copy have been online perfecting our play book and I should be clicking like Dorothy’s heels by the time the rest of you lame-o’s get the game tomorrow. If you need me, I’ll most likely be online for PS3 playing it.

I would apologize, but I’m really not that sorry.

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What happened?

Cliff Lee went the distance to lead the Phillies to the W in his first start with the club.

Who did what?

Cliff Lee (W, 1-0) tossed a complete game of four hit, one run ball. He walked two and struck out six. At the dish, he went 2 for 4 with a double (1) and a run.

Jimmy Rollins went 1 for 4 with a run.

Ben Francisco went 1 for 4 with a double (2) and an RBI.

Chase Utley went 1 for 3 with a run.

Jayson Werth went 2 for 5 with a homer (22) and three RBIs.

Ryan Sadowski (L, 2-4) gave up one run in four innings in the loss. He allowed three hits and three walks, while striking out three.

Aaron Rowand went 1 for 3 with a double (25) and a run.

What does this mean?

Just one day after being acquired from the Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee took the mound in the bottom of the first and didn’t relinquish that spot until Benji Molina grounded into a double play to end the game to lead the Phillies to a win over the San Francisco Giants.

In fitting fashion, the Cliff Lee era has begun.

He struck out the first batter of the game on three pitches, and he didn’t slow down from there. His control was great, as if he seemingly controlled the flight of the ball after it left his hand. And despite starting the bottom of the seventh off with seven balls out of the strike zone, he threw 76 of his 109 pitches for strikes.

While the offense appeared to break out of its mini-funk that led to their first two-game losing streak since the beginning of July, including a big night from Jayson Werth and a surprisingly good plate approach from Lee, the big story of the night is our new southpaw.

Welcome to Philadelphia, Cliff.

What’s next for our heroes?

In game three against the Giants, Joe Blanton (7-4, 4.11) takes on Tim Lincecum (11-3, 2.30).

Behold, the best start of the year by any Phillies starter:

EDIT: Besides, of course, Cole Hamels’ complete game shutout vs. the Dodgers.  Fucking sticklers.

He also said he was “super happy” to win and even called Sarge “sir” — the ultimate sign of respect.

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