Archer will be followed in order by Jake Odorizzi, Alex Cobb, Blake Snell and Matt Andriese.
Cash told reporters that the assignments and order had nothing to do with the early-season schedule.
"No, no matchups," Cash said. "It's just how we put it together. We talked about it briefly. We met with each guy and let them know. They were all good with their schedules leading up to Opening Day. So it worked out well. ... It's pretty much been defined for two weeks now."
Unlike the 2016 season when the Rays began the season with a four-man rotation due to the number of off-days early in their schedule, they will go with five from the beginning.