Over the next week or so we are going to be creating a team for each sport of the most underrated and overrated starting lineups, pretty sick right? Our first edition is the most underrated starting lineup for baseball, which includes the starting nine, a back up catcher, a DH, two relievers(righty and lefty), as well as a closer and manager. Russo and I have been analyzing every roster as well as player stats from the past two or three seasons to try and assemble a solid team so let us know what you think.
Honorable Mentions: C Jeff Mathis, Angels. LF Corey Hart, Brewers. RP Heath Bell, Padres. SP Josh Johnson, Marlins. 1b Billy Butler, Royals.
Honorable Mention, Ichiro and Matsui walk in this guys shadow
Catcher- Francisco Cervelli, Yankees
Cervelli has basically been the Yankees starting catcher all season due to 
injuries to Jorge Posada, and he has stepped up big time. He is hitting .375 with 15 rbi’s, a step down from the .400 average which he held all season coming into this week.
first base- Kendry Morales, Angels
Morales last season hit .306 with 34 bombs and 108 rbi’s in his first year as a starter. He’s the best hitter on the Angels and honestly should have received a hell of a lot more consideration for AL MVP last year
Second base- Martin Prado, Braves
Prado is playing out of his mind right now, or is he? Looking over the past two seasons he has hit .320(288 at bats), and .307(450 at bats). This year he is hitting .329 with 4 home runs and 18 rbi’s, proving the 26-year old is becoming an elite second basemen.
Shortstop- Ryan Theriot, Cubs
Finding a shortstop for this list was tough, but I’m going to go with my gut and say Theriot is the most underrated shortstop in the game. Right now he is hitting .319 with 14 rbi’s. With no power you could argue against this pick, but looking at his stats he has contributed a lot for the cubs over the past couple of seasons.
Third Base- Casey McGehee, Brewers
McGehee is raking on a team that can’t pitch for shit, hitting .322 with 8 home runs and 35 rbi’s. It’s time to start talking more about him ESPN, and get his ass on the all star team.
Left Field- Cody Ross, Marlins
His power numbers have been there the past two seasons with a combined 46 home runs and 163 rbi’s, but this year he is hitting for average as well. Posting a .308 with 2 bombs and 20 rbi’s. Ross’ average may drop to the .285 range by seasons end, but history shows that power will improve big time.
Center Field- Brett Gardner, Yankees
Gardner had originally won the Center Field job for the Yankees last season, but lost it to injury. In his first full year as a starter he is the Yankees best outfielder hitting .321 with 2 jacks and 12 rbi’s. Not to mention he is second in the league with 17 stolen bases.
Right Field- Michael Cuddyer, Twins
Despite his stats being a little down right now(.266, 5 hr, 23 rbi), Cuddyer has contributed so much to the Twins over the past few years. Not only does he have one of the top three throwing arms in the majors, but he hit 32 bombs last year and drove in 94. 
DH-Joey Votto, Reds
Votto could easily be at first if not for Morales’ great defense. Votto has always been a favorite of the writers on this website, averaging a .308 average, 29 home runs, and 99 rbi’s in his four year career(ESPN projections for each of his four full seasons combined). This year he’s at .308 with 9 jacks and 27 rbi’s. He has taken a back seat to guys like Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols for too long, it’s time to get this guy some serious credit now that he’s on a first place team.
Starting Pitcher- C.J. Wilson, Rangers
Russo hates this pick because he believes Wilson will have faded by the all star break, I disagree. He is a lefty that can throw upper 90′s as a starter. He is 3-1 with a 2.55 era in his first year as a starter. How did he do as a reliever last season? 2.81 era with 84 strikeouts in 74 innings, which included 14 saves and 19 holds. The guy can flat out pitch.
Right Handed Set Up- Neftali Feliz, Rangers
Feliz throws 100 mph at 22 years old. He is developing into a top tier MLB closer. In 31 innings last year Feliz posted a 1.74 era with 39 strikeouts and zero loses. Right now he is suffering from having an early season era that is inflated(3.43), but all quality relievers drop that down by the end of June. His 11 saves that lead the AL will be sure to go up however.
Left Handed Set Up- Pedro Feliciano, Mets
The Mets not using Feliciano in a game this year would be like seeing Joba Chamerlain’s father use the stairs, it just doesn’t happen. He has developed more command over the past two seasons, and now that he has put it together he is posting a 1.54 era with 4 holds for the Mess.
Closer-Matt Capps, Nationals
I heard many cries for Heath Bell to land the closer role, but I’m giving it to Capps because I would bet most average fans have never heard of the guy. He leads the league in saves right now (14), and is posting a 1.77 era. I’m a little surprised the Pirates let him go last season because he is only 26 years old, not to mention he had a combined 48 saves over two years for THE PIRATES.
Backup Catcher- Rod Barajas, Mets
I had to mention a backup because Barajas could easily be the starter on this team. He has been everything and more than the Mets could have hoped for in their wildest dreams, hitting .273 with 9 home runs and 22 rbi’s. Barajas also makes the team because he obviously loves America. If you remember, it was Barajas who caught George Bush’s first pitch in the 2001 world series as a member of the Diamondbacks.
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