Who will be the face of MLB The Show 25? That’s the heated debate taking over the baseball world right now. And yes, Olivia Dunne’s boyfriend, Paul Skenes, has found himself right in the middle of it. The buzz began when Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop Elly De La Cruz announced he was the newest cover athlete in a social media video on Monday.
In Spanish, he shared his excitement, saying, “What’s up, my people? This is Elly De La Cruz from the Cincinnati Reds, and I’m excited to be on the cover of MLB The Show 25. You already know I’mma beat everyone.” A bold claim, right?
But Elly wasn’t the only one with news. Shortly after, Gunnar Henderson from the Baltimore Orioles threw his name into the mix. In a video filmed in front of his Orioles locker, Henderson called out De La Cruz with, “What’s up everyone? I heard that Elly was going to be on the cover of MLB The Show 25. But I thought it was supposed to be me. So Elly, call me.”
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It seemed like the competition was heating up, but things got even spicier when Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes jumped in. Skenes fired back in an Instagram video, saying, “This is Paul Skenes. Gunnar, Elly, I heard you guys claiming the cover of MLB The Show, and just let you know that the cover is mine. So let’s settle this before the cover drops.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Skenes (@paulskenes)
Now, was this just a series of promotional videos? It sure seems that way. But all three players have valid claims after their exceptional 2024 seasons. And while fans are busy speculating, Olivia Dunne made sure to show her support for Skenes. She commented on his post, saying, “Things are getting heated.” It seems Dunne’s backing of Skenes isn’t exactly surprising—she’s always been there to cheer him on. So, who will ultimately grace the cover of MLB The Show 25? Time will tell.
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But one thing’s for sure: the friendly rivalry between De La Cruz, Henderson, and Skenes has certainly made the wait for the official announcement a lot more entertaining. And with Livvy backing Paul, the Pirates pitcher might just have an extra boost in this cover athlete showdown. But this isn’t the first time Olivia Dunne is supporting his boyfriend.
Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne steal the spotlight in NYC
Saturday was a big night for Paul Skenes and Olivia Dunne, and they made sure to show up in style! Skenes and Dunne had an unforgettable night in NYC at the BBWAA Awards Dinner, where Skenes took home the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year Award. Skenes, looking sharp in a navy tux, and Dunne, stunning in a midnight blue dress, celebrated his standout rookie season.
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With an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA, it was a moment of pride for them both, marking not just the award but their shared journey and achievements. Dunne, now in her final season with LSU gymnastics, has been Skenes’ biggest fan since their relationship went public in 2023. Her support extended from his season opener in May when she attended his game to the July All-Star events where she stood by his side.
“I cried,” Dunne once shared. “I was just so proud of him and I know how hard he worked for that very moment and the work that he puts in every day.” They both keep supporting each other. Even Skenes showed support for Dunne during LSU’s season opener just a few weeks ago. It seems they are made for each other.