After playing five games in five days in the American League Division Series against the Yankees, the Rays are fully aware of the challenges that a series with no off-days can present.

Manager Kevin Cash said on Saturday that his coaches learned a lot about managing a pitching staff during the unusual playoff format, which could help with their roster and in-game decisions against the Astros in the AL Championship Series, with the possibility of seven games in seven days.

“Seven games with no off-days creates some hurdles that we’re going to have to find ways to be creative and be efficient with our starters,” Cash said. “Whatever efficiency they can provide is going to help.”

Perhaps no pitcher’s efficiency is more important in this series than that of Blake Snell, who was named the Game 1 starter shortly after Friday's 2-1 win over the Yankees in Game 5 of the ALDS. With relievers Diego Castillo, Pete Fairbanks and Nick Anderson having thrown at least two innings apiece in the clincher, the Rays’ top bullpen arms could use some relief through a long start from Snell.

“My goal is to go as deep as I can go to help the bullpen out and give us a very good chance at winning,” Snell said. “I've got to be more efficient. I've got to limit the damage. That was something I didn’t do well with three home runs against the Yankees. I’m very happy with how I feel, [but] it’s just me getting in my zone and understanding what I do best.”

• ALCS Game 1 FAQ

Snell, who threw a couple of warm-up pitches in the ninth inning on Friday, told reporters that he was “100 percent” ready and will be full-go against the Astros. He would like to give the Rays at least six innings on Sunday, which is something he hasn’t been able to do this season, mostly due to inconsistency with his command.

“We don’t care what pitch he throws: changeup, curveball, fastball -- nobody cares. They’re all really, really good pitches. Just get three of the four in the zone,” Cash said. “If he’s able to do that, he’s going to give us every opportunity to win.”

What the Rays do behind Snell will also be interesting. Charlie Morton will likely get the start in Game 2, as the right-hander will be pitching on full rest after going in Game 3 of the ALDS on Wednesday. After Morton, Tampa Bay has a decision to make.

The Rays could elect to go with an opener in Game 3 ahead of Ryan Yarbrough, or simply go with Yarbrough as the starter. In Game 4 of last year’s ALDS against the Astros, the team opted to go with Castillo as Yarbrough’s opener. In Game 4 of this year’s ALDS against the Yankees, it was Ryan Thompson who opened ahead of Yarbrough.

The other option for the Rays is starting Tyler Glasnow in Game 3 on three days’ rest. Glasnow went 2 2/3 innings against the Yankees in Game 5 on two days’ rest, the first time he did that in his career. Starting Glasnow in Game 3 would then allow the Rays to go with the opener strategy or Yarbrough in Game 4. One thing that could help the Rays be even more aggressive with their starters is their planned addition of a 14th pitcher, as opposed to the 13 they carried in the ALDS.

• Who has the edge? Astros-Rays position-by-position breakdown

Whichever way the Rays decide to go, they hope to have Snell, Glasnow and Morton available for Games 5-7, if the series gets that far. Snell should be available to start a potential Game 5, while Morton would get the ball in Game 6, if necessary. If there’s a Game 7, the Rays could have Glasnow on three days’ rest yet again, and there’s little doubt that they’ll feel confident handing him the ball after his performance against the Yankees.

“To go out today and experience what it felt like to be on two days’ rest was reassuring, because I know I’ll be able to do it again,” Glasnow said after Game 5. “I think that kind of goes for all of our starters and our bullpen, so we definitely have the depth and I think we’re going to match up well.”