Yovani Gallardo and the 10 Most Underrated Players in the 2011 MLB Postseason

There are always a few under-the-radar players that literally come out of nowhere in October. Whether it is a few aces that take the mound shut down an opposing offense or a .230 hitter that starts hitting .330 there are several different options to choose from.

However, let it be known that the winning teams always have a clear advantage over teams that do not fair well. With only eight teams in the postseason there may not seem like a ton of players who can catch you by surprise, but as we have learned anything can happen in the postseason.

Take Yovani Gallardo for example, not look at him as a legit ace yet have we all forgotten that he pitched in Game of the NLDS back in 2008?

Gallardo is among the top five aces in the National League postseason with a devastating curveball that drops off a table and a consistent fastball that never misses off the plate. He started off with a sensational performance, silencing the D-Backs with an eight-inning masterpiece while allowing only one run on four hits while punching out nine.

So, who are the other postseason unheralded heroes to look out for? 

Matt Moore

Becoming the youngest player in playoff history to throw seven or more shutout innings automatically put Mr. Moore high on this list.

The youngster was economical throwing seven shutout innings in just 98 pitches while allowing only two hits and two walks with six punchouts. 

Moore will be tested later in the postseason and possibly in this series against the Rangers in a possible Game 5 situation, but time will tell if this was a once in a lifetime outing or if he is here to stay.

Kelly Shoppach

This is your typical average hitter gone bonkers in the postseason. Cody Ross was the guy en route to the Giants World Series run, but at least he was a solid, legit MLB starter.

No disrespect towards Shoppach, but he is only a .224 career hitter in the bigs. Going 3-for-5 with five runs batted in including two bombs against the Rangers earns him a spot on my list.

He does a solid job defensively and he calls a game back behind the plate, but he also crossed home plate three times offensively (two HR's).

For an offense that struggles to score runs this team is soaring right now with all of their momentum that they have recently gained thanks to the Red Sox epic collapse. Will Tampa be able to ride their momentum all the way to another World Series appearance? 

Robinson Cano

Wait a New York Yankee as an underrated player? Well, when asked who is the top Yankee I have always give the answer of Robinson Cano. It seems like whenever some "expert" gives me their answer that Cano is not even among the first ten names talked about.

Cano is the best overall second baseman in the game and it is not even that close. The gold glover has an absolute hose up the middle and his smooth swing is the number one reason why the Yankees can win it all again.

Finishing second on the team in RBI's with 118 behind Granderson's 119 speaks volumes. A second baseman is not suppose to have any pop. Yet, here is Cano as one of the most talented players in the posteason playing a vital role hitting in the middle of the order.

Ivan Nova

Posting a 16-4 record with an ERA at 3.70 with 165.1 innings is quite an accomplishment for the 24-year-old. 

Nova has never pitched in the playoffs before and the Yankees need his "A" game in order to be legitmate threats at reaching the World Series.

Nova is not a strikeout machine, but throwing a ton of strikes give his all-world infield to turn a make a ton of plays including double plays turned by Cano and Jeter.

With great run support of a team that is loaded with star talent offensively, limiting the opposition to three runs a game will give Nova more opportunities to pick up key victories. 

Carlos Ruiz

Known as "Chooch" by the Philadelphia faithful makes him automatically earn a spot on this list thanks to controlling the best rotation in baseball.

Ruiz is a clutch hitter that already has some postseason experience under his belt and I would look for continued improvement made by Ruiz throughout this October from behind the plate and at the dish.

Alex Avila

Quick name the best hitting catcher in the American league? If you said Alex Avila of the Detroit Tigers I grant you ten free points because this kid can flat out rake.

Avila hit .295 while driving in 82 runners with 19 home runs and he was also third on the team in doubles (33).

Despite hitting only sixth in the lineup, the catcher remains one of the most consistent hitters not only on the Tigers team, but arguably in the entire American League.

Doug Fister

Going 11-13 is mediocre, but wait until you see the rest of Doug Fister's stats.

Throwing 216.1 innings while posting an 2.83 ERA has made this Tigers among the top ten aces in the American League entering the postseason.

Plus, with Justin Verlander not getting a full game in per say with the rain becoming a factor, Fister's performance in the ALDS against the Yankees could go a far way in pulling off the upset.

Elvis Andrus

I love me some Mike Napoli, but Elvis means so much to this Rangers squad despite being the only player who lacks power.

He makes up for it with every base he steals and for every time he crosses home plate. Elvis has a decent eye for a two-hitter, but it is imperative that Andrus continues to improve his plate coverage. 

His defense this season may have dropped from a near Gold Glove season last year, but Andrus still flashes a ton of leather for the Rangers. Their defense has had many issues throughout the season, but with Elvis in the building things should be mighty fine.

Allen Craig

Replacing Matt Holliday could be a huge factor in their NLDS matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies since there is no guarantee that Holliday can perform admirably once he returns. 

Criag was on fire closing the season out with a .33 batting average (12-for-36) in his final 14 games. Of those 12 hits, five left the park and he drove in 11 runners out of those 12 hits as well.

Losing Holliday could be crucial if he cannot perform well, but luckily Tony La Russa has a viable option in Craig at right field.

Ryan Roberts

Hitting a walk-off grand slam in the final series of the regular season against the LA Dodgers is one thing, but Roberts came through all season for the young Diamondbacks. It was hilarious how he did the Kirk Gibson curtain call fist pump while circling the bases, but this utility man can do it all.

Despite hitting .249 Roberts played several positions out in the field and he hit 19 home runs with 65 RBI and 18 stolen bases. He was an unknown before the season started and has turned into one of the more clutch hitters in the National League this season. 

This season runners were in scoring positions with two outs he hit a magical .286 with four home runs and 23 RBI. Also, when runners were on base with less than two outs he still managed to hit .283 with five home runs and 45 RBI. He also is coming off a home run off Brewers ace Yovani Gallardo and it looks as if Roberts is here to stay.

Regardless of who is and who is not on base, this Diamondback has a been a calm, cool, collective killer against the rest of the National League.