McCann to play key role off bench, start G3

Veteran catcher Brian McCann started 17 of 18 games during the Astros’ run through the postseason last year, but he will serve primarily as the backup to Martin Maldonado this year. Maldonado figures to catch games started by Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, and Astros manager AJ Hinch said McCann would start Game 3, paired with Dallas Keuchel.