SAN DIEGO -- Making its postseason debut this fall, the three-batter minimum is already wreaking havoc on the best-laid plans of big league managers.

Take Kevin Cash Sunday night, for instance. The Rays¡¯ skipper didn¡¯t have many options for the eighth inning of his team¡¯s 2-1 victory over the Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Both Peter Fairbanks and Nick Anderson were unavailable after their heroics against the Yankees on Friday.

So Cash called on left-hander Aaron Loup, a palatable solution with the lefty-hitting Michael Brantley due up first.

No, Loup hadn¡¯t pitched since Sept. 30. Yes, two of the sport¡¯s hottest right-handed hitters loomed after Brantley in Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman. That was fine with Cash -- because he liked Loup¡¯s first matchup.

? Castillo saves Game 1 -- and maybe Game 2

¡°When we don't have Nick and Pete, figured Loupy was fresh,¡± Cash said. ¡°[He] just comes out and, first pitch, didn't have his bearings straight. Ideally, you don't hit the first left-hander you see.¡±

Indeed, Loup¡¯s first pitch was a 93-mph fastball that connected with Brantley¡¯s backside. Cash¡¯s reaction spoke volumes.

In a different postseason, it would¡¯ve been fair to expect Cash to hop from the top step of his dugout, stroll toward the mound and summon a right-hander. This was, after all, the game¡¯s highest-leverage spot, and the Rays were at a disadvantage with a lefty like Loup on the hill.

That wasn¡¯t an option for Cash, because of this year¡¯s rule change mandating that a reliever face at least three hitters or finish an inning. So Cash plopped his forehead on the railing of the dugout for a moment, before turning and barking at no one in particular.

Without the rule, Cash might¡¯ve called for righty Aaron Slegers. He might¡¯ve gone early to Diego Castillo. He couldn¡¯t.

¡°Sometimes you're going to get penned in there -- penned into those situations that make you a little uncomfortable when you know you've got a guy down there that you'd probably rather have,¡± Cash said.

The scene was somewhat reminiscent of Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Yankees. With a three-run lead in the ninth, Fairbanks walked the first two hitters he faced.

Again, in a different postseason, Cash¡¯s decision making probably would¡¯ve unfolded differently. The Yankees had the tying run at the plate, and Fairbanks was laboring. But if Cash wanted a different arm, he didn¡¯t have that choice.

So he stuck with Fairbanks, who promptly struck out Clint Frazier and Gary Sanchez. DJ LeMahieu singled home a run, but Fairbanks put a lid on a crucial Game 2 victory by getting Aaron Judge to ground out.

Sure, the rule was implemented at the beginning of the regular season. But late-game pitching strategy is hugely magnified in the playoffs, and its impact is only now on full display.

¡°I wasn't thrilled with it,¡± Cash said when asked for his initial opinion on the rule. ¡°I don't know if I've changed my mind or not. Ideally, you recognize it, you get used to it. We had a little bit of spring, and you get 60 games to prepare for it.¡±

Learn the rule and adjust to it. In the eyes of Rays catcher Mike Zunino, that¡¯s what makes Cash so good at what he does.

¡°There's not many bad decisions out there,¡± Zunino said of the Rays¡¯ bullpen. ¡°But it can't go overlooked the timing of when Cashy makes his moves. He's on top of it. That goes without saying. That's the reason why I think he's the best manager in the game.¡±

Then again, sometimes Cash has those decisions taken out of his hands. Sometimes he simply has to stick with Loup against two ferocious right-handed hitters, because he¡¯s mandated to do so.

And sometimes it works out.

Loup atoned for plunking Brantley by blowing a 95-mph fastball past Bregman for strike three. He walked Correa, and Cash stuck with Loup for one more batter, the lefty-hitting Kyle Tucker -- who singled to left, loading the bases.

The decision back in his hands, Cash called for Castillo to face the switch-hitting Yuli Gurriel.

¡°With the traffic and everything, just decided to get Diego in the game,¡± Cash would say.

Sure enough, Castillo worked his way out of the jam by inducing a double play with his first pitch. Cash, at long last, could exhale.