ARLINGTON, Texas -- Clayton Kershaw will be back on the mound for Game 4 of the NL Championship Series on Thursday night, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday.

Roberts, speaking before Game 3, had said it was "a likely possibility" that the ace left-hander would return to the mound for Game 4. But after Los Angeles' 15-3 win Wednesday night, the manager confirmed that Kershaw will indeed start.

Back spasms for Kershaw, which initially arose during a Saturday bullpen session, forced the Dodgers to scratch him on the morning of his scheduled Game 2 start, prompting rookie Tony Gonsolin to take his place. Kershaw threw what Roberts described as a "pretty aggressive" bullpen session from Globe Life Field later that afternoon, and the manager said his back had improved over each of the past four days.

Kershaw will oppose Atlanta Braves right-hander Bryse Wilson.

The Dodgers are down 2-1 in the best-of-seven postseason series.