The Braves plan to pitch Kevin Gausman in the third game; Dodgers call on Walker Buehler

LOS ANGELES – The Atlanta Braves plan to star right-hander Kevin Gausman in Sunday's third game, when their Los Angeles Dodgers National League Division series will be transferred to SunTrust Park.

The key word is "plan" because Atlanta manager Brian Snitker did not rule out changing direction if Gausman was needed in case of urgency in Friday's second game.

"I was going to send him back [to Atlanta] today, but we are not, "said Snitker. I'll keep it in case something happens tonight. If that is the case and it has to launch, then we will adjust and we will regroup from there. But from now on, if all goes well, he will be the starter of the third match. "

Gausman, 27, was bought in Atlanta by the Baltimore Orioles as part of a mid-season deal with Atlanta to provide some stability to the veterans for the club's young rotation. Gausman responded with one of the best shots of his career, recording a 5-3 record with an average of 2.87 points on 10 starts for Braves. Earlier this season, with the Orioles, Gausman was 5-8 with a 4.43 ERA.

"It's really good for us since we got it," Snitker said. "So at the end of the year, when we went ahead, we were watching him because he was probably one of the first three players we have to play in playoffs.

Gausman appeared in the 2014 playoffs for Baltimore as a relief, recording an average of 1.13 points in eight innings in three outings.

The Braves dropped out of the first game in Los Angeles, bowing 6-0 against the Dodgers on Thursday night.

The Dodgers will send rookie Walker Buehler to the mound on Sunday.

The right-handed, 24-year-old made his last run on Monday, winning six and two-thirds and hitting three in the breakout win over the Colorado Rockies.

Buehler was 8-5 with a 2.62 ERA, becoming a solid No. 2 behind Clayton Kershaw's ace.

"If it was not for Walker, we probably would not be here in this situation," said second baseman Enrique Hernandez on Friday. "He was huge."

Buehler began his only career career against the Braves on June 8th at Dodger Stadium, allowing a point and two hits in 5 1/3 of a 7-3 win. He took out four and did not walk anyone on 71 fields.

Associated Press contributed to this report.