Kenta Maeda will start for the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday against the Cubs' Jon Lester, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts confirmed.
Roberts reiterated after Wednesday's 10-2 Dodgers loss that he won't start ace Clayton Kershaw on short rest, putting the three-time Cy Young Award winner in line for Game 6 on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Kershaw threw a bullpen session earlier Wednesday.
"[Thursday] is not an elimination game or a deciding game," Roberts said after the Cubs evened the series at two games apiece.
The first-year skipper had previously said it was not out of the question that Kershaw could be asked to pitch in Game 5, on three days of rest, under certain circumstances.
Maeda, 28, said he hasn't been happy with the way he has pitched in two games this postseason -- the rookie right-hander has allowed seven earned runs in a combined seven innings -- but believes that will change on Thursday.
Roberts said he has "all the confidence in the world" in Maeda.
There will be a familiar face in the crowd when Maeda and the Dodgers attempt to retake the lead in the best-of-seven series. Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully is set to attend Thursday's game, his first time back at Dodger Stadium since calling his last home game on Sept. 25. The 88-year-old ended his 67-year career this month with the Dodgers' regular-season finale at San Francisco.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.