Olivia Dunne's boyfriend Paul Skenes sparks MLB betting chaos with Pirates rookie's sensational start 'disrupting the markets dramatically'

By Alex Raskin

Published: | Updated:

No longer satisfied to stymie National League hitters, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie ace Paul Skenes has found a new arena to disrupt: the betting market.

After starting the season in the minors, the 22-year-old May callup has become such an overwhelming favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year honors that at least one sportsbook has taken that line off the board.

'I closed the pool after yesterday,' Randy Blum, baseball oddsmaker for the SuperBook, told ESPN of the LSU product and boyfriend of Instagram influencer Olivia Dunne.


As Blum explained, he was ready to move Skenes from a -500 favorite to an unthinkable -1000 until he decided it simply wasn't worth it.

'Unless he gets hurt, he's a lock to win,' Blum said. 'He's that good from what we've seen so far.'

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes delivers a pitch against the Mets on July 5

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes delivers a pitch against the Mets on July 5

Skenes and his girlfriend Olivia Dunne, a former LSU gymnast, are seen boating in Pittsburgh

Skenes and his girlfriend Olivia Dunne, a former LSU gymnast, are seen boating in Pittsburgh

And Skenes may not be done there.

Now that he's secured the starting job for Tuesday's All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas, Skenes is threatening to become the first rookie to win the NL Cy Young award since a 20-year-old Fernando Valenzuela did it with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980.

Boasting a 6-0 record with a miniscule 1.90 earned-run average while yielding just 0.92 walks and hits per inning (WHIP), Skenes' Cy Young odds jumped from +3000 to +650 in the day after he was named the All-Star starting pitcher.

According to the oddsmakers, Skenes now trails only Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler (+160) and Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale (+165) in the NL Cy Young race.

Patrick Jay, senior vice president and head of sportsbook for ESPN BET, claims that dramatic swing in Skenes' favor is the product of his All-Star nod, news that he would be the NL's starting pitcher, and several recent dominant performances. 

Skenes and Dunne are seen drifting by Pittsburgh's PNC park on the Allegheny River

Skenes and Dunne are seen drifting by Pittsburgh's PNC park on the Allegheny River 

Although Skenes has shunned social media, his girlfriend is among the most popular on IG

Although Skenes has shunned social media, his girlfriend is among the most popular on IG 

Dunne is seen floating under the Rachel Carson Bridge in Pittsburgh during a recent off day

Dunne is seen floating under the Rachel Carson Bridge in Pittsburgh during a recent off day 

For instance, Skenes had seven hitless innings and 11 strikeouts in the Pirates' 1-0 win over Milwaukee on Thursday and had a chance for his first no-hitter until being pulled by Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton.

Dunne voiced her frustration after Shelton's decision, but acknowledged that it's all part of a larger plan to preserve Skenes' right arm for the long haul.

'You know what, it would have been a cool accolade to say that you threw a no-hitter your rookie year,' she told Sports Illustrated. 'But also you got to make that arm last long, so I don't blame them.'

And while Shelton is trying to protect Skenes from injury, even he has to marvel at the incredible accomplishments the California native has made over the last few months.

For instance, Skenes has now allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 11 big league starts.

'I don't think anybody thinks that when you come to the big leagues, it's going to be like this,' Shelton said afterwards.

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