The Rays generally have to play small ball. Historically they've never been a high offense team, this year is kind of an aaberration in that regard, and have been getting by with a great pitching staff. Maddon is a good manager, but a lot of his success is due far more to the pitching staff than his playing small ball, which is really more of a necessity than some kind of brilliant strategy on his part.
Friedman and their player development people have far more to do with that team's success than Maddon, IMO.