Undoubtedly, Paul Skenes is one of those few dominant players in the world of MLB. Isn’t it? But on Wednesday, it wasn’t his fastballs that turned heads. As if his dominant performance against the Tampa Bay Rays wasn’t enough! Now, another title is added to his resume – a GQ model!

But little did he know, his newfound fashion fame would come with its own set of playful consequences.

After his stellar pitching in the Pirates’ 4-2 victory, reporters couldn’t resist asking Skenes about his unexpected modeling gig. “I’m going to get some flak in the locker room, I know that. I’m not looking forward to it,”  shared Skenes, unsure of how to respond. But he kept his cool and added, “But yeah, I didn’t know what GQ was until the offer came, so I’m glad I did it, I think. I mean, how’d I look? Did you guys think I looked good?”

As it turns out, even his GQ moment wasn’t safe from the playful banter – a hallmark of Skenes’ charm. The reporter responded with a cheeky yet witty burn, “Livvy and Roux looked better, but you did ok.” Roux, of course, is his and girlfriend Livvy Dunne’s adorably photogenic White Golden Retriever.

Skenes took the jab sportingly, clearly accustomed to the teasing from his teammates and media alike.“Unfortunately, I mean, that’s what she does. So yeah!”

For those unaware, Livvy Dunne isn’t just a media sensation; she’s also an expert at capturing hearts and laughs alike, often posting hilarious Instagram stories poking at Paul, giving fans a glimpse into their friendly relationship. And Roux? Her social media game is in a whole different league.

With his first win of the season, and his GQ debut now behind him, Paul continues to prove he can handle everything that comes in way – on the field or in front of the camera. Whether he’s making batters look silly with his fastballs or making his fans laugh with his self-deprecating humor, he has a way of balancing it all!

And with Livvy, Roux, and a bit of locker room roasting in his corner, it’s clear the fun is only just beginning.

Skenes shakes off early rust and strikes gold in the Pirates’ victory

It was a slow start for Paul Skenes on Wednesday, almost too slow! Nearly three innings of settling in before he hit his stride. But once he found his groove, the Tampa Bay Rays had no chance and were left trying to catch up.

Skenes struck out six over seven innings in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 4-2 victory, his first win of the 2025 season. By the time the game ended, one thing was clear: When Skenes finds his touch, he becomes untouchable! Though the Rays were able to take advantage of a throwing error in the sixth inning, allowing an unearned run to score, Skenes was unflappable.

He generated 13 swings and misses, with his fastball and trademark slider leaving the Rays batter swinging at air. His first strikeout didn’t come until the third inning, but what followed was a ‘Paul Skenes special’.

Oneil Cruz provided plenty of support with his second home run of the season and an additional RBI, helping to secure the win. With Cruz’s contributions from the plate, the Pirates’ offense backed up their ace in a game that never felt out of control, even after the early jitters. And as the game reached its finish line, Skenes had settled in and dominated completely.

Skenes once again proved that even when things don’t start perfectly, his resilience and command can take over when it matters the most.