Gavin Sheets spent most of September waiting for a chance to help the San Diego Padres. When that opportunity finally arrived in the postseason, he gave Petco Park a moment worth screaming about.
With fans chanting “HOLY SHEETS,” the left-handed slugger delivered a pinch-hit, two-run home run Wednesday night that helped finish off the Chicago Cubs. San Diego won 4-1 to complete the Wild Card Series sweep and book a trip to Milwaukee for the NLDS.
“It's a fun moment, it's what the postseason is all about. Good moments like that. To be able to do it with this team, it was a fun night,” Sheets said.
holy sheets, stadium noise only pic.twitter.com/ulMUHeS3hV
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) October 1, 2026
The swing rewarded manager Craig Stammen’s decision to turn to his bench after Cubs manager Craig Counsell brought in right-hander Daniel Palencia. Sheets punished a 100.8 mph fastball, giving the Padres breathing room and leaving Chicago with an even steeper climb to save its season. That pitch was also the fastest pitch hit for a home run in franchise history, via Sarah Langs.
Gavin Sheets off 100.8 mph! That’s the fastest pitch a Padres player has homered off of under tracking (2008 incl post)
And 3rd-fastest for HR by anyone in postseason in span, behind:
Seiya Suzuki, 101.4 mph, 2025 NLDS Game 5
Jackson Chourio, 101.4 mph, 2025 NLDS Game 2 https://t.co/gKfy89ylnn— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 1, 2026
For a hitter coming back from a lengthy absence, that was quite the statement. Sheets missed a month while dealing with a left foot injury, but his bat has looked ready for the moment since returning.
He has homered twice and recorded an extra-base hit in each of his three games since coming back. San Diego already had plenty of momentum heading into the playoffs, and adding another dangerous left-handed bat gives Stammen more ways to attack opposing pitching.
Now comes an interesting lineup decision. Milwaukee will start Jacob Misiorowski in Saturday’s opener, creating a potential opportunity for Sheets to start at designated hitter.
His success against Milwaukee earlier this season adds to the intrigue, although Wednesday’s homer does not automatically guarantee it. Stammen just showed how valuable Sheets can be when saved for the right matchup.
Either way, the Padres have another weapon available as the competition gets tougher. Sheets needed only one swing to leave his mark against Chicago, and San Diego would gladly take another moment like that against the Brewers.