Paul Skenes continues to build on an impressive career and his girlfriend, Olivia Dunne, has found a distinctive way to showcase her admiration for the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ standout pitcher’s success.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, made a strong debut last year with 23 starts and a remarkable 1.96 ERA, and in 2025, he has already eclipsed those numbers as he shows immense talent on the mound.
Marking his 24th start on Thursday, August 7, he is maintaining an ERA of 1.94 and a prominent baseball statistics account on X.com (formerly Twitter), Codify, shared Skenes‘ latest performance, commenting, “We’ve never seen anyone like him.”
They’re truly baffling numbers but Dunne, a gymnastics national champion, recognized her man in a different way as he delivered a succinct and playful two-word comment: “+ he’s handsome”.
In his most recent outing, Skenes pitched six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, further lowering his ERA and solidifying his status as a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young Award this year.
He and Dunne have been together for over two years, making their relationship public in August 2023 and in an interview, she explained the key to their strong bond: mutual respect and independence.
“We don’t restrict each other from doing things,” Dunne said to PEOPLE in June. “I’ve been in relationships in the past like that, where it’s almost like you have a leash on you, you can’t do anything.
“But he has a job to do, and I have a job to do, I know that’s so important for two young kids in a relationship to realize. So yeah, we just have a good time and it’s a two-way road.”
Dunne recently completed her final season with the LSU Tigers and continues to build her brand, including appearing in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Meanwhile, Skenes, who earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2024, is focused on establishing his status in the MLB.
Who do the Pirates play next?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are next in action on Friday, August 8 as they take on the Cincinnati Reds at the PNC Park from 18:40 ET/15:40 PT. The game is available to watch live via Apple TV+ or MLB.TV
The Pirates head into the clash with a .431 record and 50 wins on the board in the National League Central, of which they sit in last place by a considerable seven wins behind the St. Louis Cardinals.
Whilst the Reds are faring better in the same NL Central as Cincinnati boasts a .517 (60 wins) record as they look to chase down the .579 Chicago Cubs for second. The division is led by the Milwaukee Brewers, who hold a .614 (70 wins) record.
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