Skubal seeks first win since joining the Dodgers at the Deadline

LOS ANGELES -- Tarik Skubal has pitched some quality innings in his short time as a Dodger. But both the left-hander and the team expect greater things out of him.

Skubal will get the chance to take that step forward when he takes the mound against the Pirates on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. He is seeking his first win since being traded to the Dodgers from the Tigers in a blockbuster days ahead of the Trade Deadline.

In his three starts with L.A., Skubal has posted a 3.18 ERA (six earned runs in 17 innings). He has given the Dodgers a chance to win each time he's taken the mound, but after his last start, he lamented that he hasn't pitched deeper into games.

"My last outing was five. The one before that was six," Skubal said after throwing a career-high 109 pitches in a quality start last Sunday. "It's not acceptable. It's not the standard of what I think I'm capable of in this league. So I just need to be better."

The Pirates are a relatively familiar opponent for Skubal, as he has made five outings (four starts) against them in his career. He's handled Pittsburgh well, recording a 2.45 ERA in those games.

Since acquiring Skubal, the Dodgers have not played their best baseball, dropping four of their previous six series. But the back-to-back champions nevertheless feel like they've already benefited from his presence -- even if he's still finding his footing in L.A.

"Man, it feels good every time he's out there. It really does," manager Dave Roberts said. "And I just still don't think we've seen his best, which is a good thing for us."