The St. Louis Cardinals earned more than just a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.
With a 2-1 win at Busch Stadium, they not only outperformed their division rivals on the diamond but also made waves online thanks to a cheeky social media jab-one that subtly dragged in Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes’ girlfriend, LSU gymnastics star Olivia Dunne.
After the game, the Cardinals‘ official account posted a now-viral graphic of pitcher Matthew Liberatore alongside a short, sharp caption: “Libby Done.”
While on the surface it celebrated Liberatore’s performance, fans quickly picked up on the double meaning. The caption phonetically mirrors “Livvy Dunne,” which seemed like a direct, playful swipe at Skenes‘ high-profile relationship with the TikTok and Instagram superstar.
Skenes, touted as a generational pitching talent and the top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, entered the matchup with high expectations.
The 6’6″ right-hander brought with him a strong stat line, including a 2.77 ERA and 47 strikeouts this season. And yet, against the Cardinals, he stumbled yet again. He has now failed to notch a single win in five career starts against St. Louis, holding a dismal 0-4 record in those appearances.
Liberatore shines while Skenes struggles once again
The game was billed as a battle between two talented arms, and it didn’t disappoint-at least for Cardinals fans. Liberatore, who has quietly been one of St. Louis’ more reliable pitchers, delivered a stellar performance.
Over seven innings, he surrendered only three hits and one earned run while striking out eight. His cool composure and ability to escape jams allowed the Cardinals to maintain control in a tight, playoff-like atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Skenes appeared locked in early. He navigated five innings without surrendering a run, looking every bit the ace he’s projected to be. But in the sixth inning, things unraveled.
Nolan Arenado opened the frame with a single, Willson Contreras followed with a walk, and Alex Burleson drove in two runs with a clutch double off Skenes. Just like that, the Pirates were behind, and the Cardinals didn’t look back.
Though Skenes‘ outing wasn’t disastrous-he gave up just two runs-he once again couldn’t finish the job against a team that clearly has his number.
The Cardinals‘ social media team took the opportunity to highlight Liberatore‘s heroics, but they also couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the player who’s become as well known for his off-field relationship as his on-field performance.
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