Cut4 Postseason Primer: Tampa Bay Rays

From 30 World Series hopefuls, only a few remain. In case you haven't been following every contender, here's a catch-up on what you missed and what to expect next. In this edition: The Tampa Bay Rays.

Also: OAK | ATL | STL | LAD | CLE | PIT | CIN | BOS | DET

The Tampa Bay Rays battled their way to the AL Wild Card game, fending off the Rangers in Monday's tiebreaker to clinch a postseason spot. The Rays have skipper Joe Maddon's brilliant (and frequently goofy) managerial style to thank for their fourth trip to the postseason since 2008, as well as a crack defense and a deep pitching staff -- from veteran 2012 Cy Young winner David Price to 22-year-old Enny Romero, called up from the Minors on September 22 after he volunteered his services on Twitter.

The Rays have provided no shortage of unforgettable moments this year. Here are seven favorites:

7. Tampa Bay is really, really amazing at two things: 1) Baseball. 2) Themed road trips. From "accidental preppies" to camo to letterman jackets, they can make any look work.

6. Beginning with the World Baseball Classic in March, Fernando Rodney made his love of plantains public. No, the closer isn't on a high-potassium diet -- he believes the fruit has the magical ability to improve his pitching. No argument here.

5. Carly Rae Jepsen visited St. Petersburg to throw one of the season's most, ahem, memorable first pitches.

4. The Rays pulled off plenty of great defensive plays this year, but one of our favorites wasn't the work of a player at all. And it's not so much a "play" as an "emotional saga of redemption."

In a game against the D-backs back in July, ballboy RJ bungled a catch, with the loose ball striking three in the bullpen...

In the next inning, another foul ball came streaking his way -- the players scattered, decimating RJ's confidence...

But then, this happened. And it was awesome.

3. See Longo run. Longo runs fast.

2. Tropicana Field may be a Major League ballpark (and a fine one at that), but the Rays proved this season that baseball isn't the only sport you can play at the Trop.

Cy Young pitcher, stud amateur golfer--@DAVIDprice14: pic.twitter.com/hgSeprFAYg

- Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 16, 2013

1. Joe Maddon has what you might call an "open clubhouse" policy. This is only a sampling of the weird, wonderful visitors the Rays have welcomed this season:

A merengue band.

A penguin.

The best "Penguins in MLB Clubhouse" footage you will ever see: https://t.co/guU5TKsfG3

- Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 24, 2013

A 20-foot python.

So, what can we expect from the Rays in October? A few predictions:

• The Rays will consider ditching the Wild Card game for a few rounds of touch football.

• David Price's dog, Astro, will be named AL MVP.

• To help the Trop go carbon-neutral -- and feed his hungry team through the postseason -- Maddon will start growing plantains inside the Rays clubhouse.