Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend Paul Skenes sparks MLB betting chaos with Pirates rookie’s sensational start ‘disrupting the markets dramatically’
No longer content with thwarting National League forwards, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes has found a new area to disrupt: the betting market.
After starting the season in the minor leagues, the 22-year-old who was called up in May has become such a heavy favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year award that at least one bookmaker has scrapped that position.
“I closed the pool after yesterday,” said Randy Blum, baseball bettor for the SuperBook, told ESPN from the LSU product and friend of Instagram influencer Olivia Dunne.
Blum explained that he was willing to move Skenes from a -500 favorite to an unthinkable -1000 until he decided it just wasn’t worth it.
“If he doesn’t get injured, he’s sure to win,” Blum said. “He’s so good, from what we’ve seen so far.”
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes throws a pitch against the Mets on July 5
Skenes and his girlfriend Olivia Dunne, a former LSU gymnast, are seen boating in Pittsburgh
And Skenes may not be done yet.
Now that he has secured the starting job for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas, Skenes is in danger of becoming the first rookie to win the NL Cy Young Award since 20-year-old Fernando Valenzuela did so with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980.
With a 6-0 record and a minuscule 1.90 earned run average and just 0.92 hits and hits per inning (WHIP), Skenes’ Cy Young rating jumped from +3000 to +650 the day after he was named an All-Star Starting Pitcher.
According to the bookmakers, 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 ESPN BET’s sports betting office, argues that the dramatic turnaround in Skenes’ favor is the product of his All-Star designation, the news that he would become the NL’s starting pitcher and several recent dominant performances.
Skenes and Dunne are seen floating at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on the Allegheny River
Although Skenes has shunned social media, his girlfriend is one of the most popular on Instagram
Dunne is seen floating under the Rachel Carson Bridge in Pittsburgh during a recent day off
For example, Skenes threw seven hitless innings and struck out 11 batters in the Pirates’ 1-0 win over Milwaukee on Thursday and had a chance to throw his first no-hitter until he was pulled by Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton.
Dunne expressed her frustration with Shelton’s decision, but admitted it’s all part of a bigger plan to preserve Skenes’ right arm long-term.
“You know what, it would have been a cool recognition to say you threw a no-hitter your rookie year,” she told Sports Illustrated. “But you’ve got to make sure your arm lasts a long time, so I don’t blame them.”
And while Shelton tries to protect Skenes from injury, even he has to be amazed by the incredible performances the California native has put in over the past few months.
Skenes has allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 11 starts in the majors.
“I don’t think anyone thinks that’s how it’s going to be in the big leagues,” Shelton said afterward.