Cut4 postseason preview: Spare ribs, formalwear and everything else you need to know about the St. Louis Cardinals

Playoffs? You kiddin' me? Uh, no, actually we're not. In case you've been holed up watching Gangnam Style videos for the last few months, here's what you need to know about the season that was and the postseason to come -- St. Louis Cardinals edition.

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The champs are here! After an epic postseason run last year, the Redbirds are back to defend their Commissioner's Trophy. St. Louis owns 18 pennants and 11 World Series titles (the most of any NL team), plus a guy named  David Freese -- who you may remember from moments like this. So what have Cards have been up to this season? Do they have a chance to repeat? We'll provide the pyrotechnics, you be the judge:

- The St. Louie squad began the season basking in their 2011 glory. Fans received replica trophies, Fredbird sported some World Series bling and even the Rally Squirrel was honored.

- A World Series title means invites to lots of fancy events, so naturally tuxedos were a must. Some fans even made Busch Stadium a red-tie optional venue. In other fashion news, Jon Jay embraced his inner nerd with an argyle touch while Jason Motte was often a star in stripes.

- Old-school funk and modern hip hop each had a place at Cards home games, with Kool & the Gang and Nelly making appearances. The Road Warrior Animal, well, he just showed up to add some intimidation swagger.

- Injuries limited Lance Berkman to just 32 games this season -- at least, we think. The first baseman proved to be a master of disguise, whether via fake facial fuzz or cold weather gear.

- Starter Chris Carpenter also missed much of the season, undergoing surgery in July to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. That procedure involved removing a piece of the right-hander's rib, which his young daughter requested as a souvenir. So if you're looking for an extra rib, check the jar in Carp's bathroom -- seriously.

- On the field, the Cards showed they're a multitalented bunch this season. If baseball doesn't work, Holliday & Sons Demolition Co. definitely has conglomerate potential. Mitchell Boggs auditioned for a "Dancing with the Stars" spot and Matt Carpenter seemed to be taking notes from the London Games' Olympic divers. Or not.

- Add it all up, and is a 12th title in the Cards? Word on the street is that superfan/good-luck charm Jacque Niekamp is predicted as much. Hey, Niekamp's prediction -- along with a lucky rodent -- was enough last season ...

POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS

- A red lemur, on the loose from Zoo Atlanta, makes a mad dash across the infield as Daniel Descalso bats during the ninth-inning of the Wild Card playoff. After groundskeepers corral the critter, Descalso doubles in the winning run and the legend of the Late-Inning Lemur is born.

- Holliday's assault on the Big Mac Land sign continues during NLCS batting practice. The outfielder systematically takes out the B, I, and G with towering blasts before Busch Stadium officials agree to rename the section "Big Matt Land."

- Rush hour traffic grinds to a halt in St. Louis, leaving Freese and Motte in danger of missing the first pitch of NLCS Game 5. Just when the pair is about to let Mike Matheny know he'll be playing with a 23-man roster, a mysterious black vehicle zooms around the corner and picks them up. The driver, wearing a mask, cape and what appear to be hockey pads, speeds around the congestion directly to Busch.

- Freese hits a walk-off. We don't know where and we don't know when, but it's just what he does in October.

-- Matt Monagan / MLB.com