Offense A Key in Home Struggles

As featured on Phillies Nation.

On June 16, 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies had an overall record of 41-30. Exactly one year later, the Phillies are on the same pace as last season with a 36-25 record in less games. The Phillies could have a better record than indicated with tough losses on blown saves or bad calls by umpires. All hurt, but it is the play on their home turf that has hurt the most.

The Phillies Pythagorean winning percentage is 34-27, two more losses than their real record. A Pythagorean winning percentage estimates a teams win-loss record given their runs scored and runs allowed. In the Phillies case, they have scored 337 runs and allowed 298.

The Phillies are a major league best 23-9 away from Citizens Bank Park. However, they are 13-16 at the same place they went undefeated during the 2008 postseason.

It is obvious a hitters park like Citizens Bank Park will lead to problems for pitchers. The Phillies have a 5.22 ERA at home. They've allowed 49 home runs, however it isn't much different from their road total (42). On the road they are not lights out, but have a tolerable 4.15 ERA.

With a potent lineup at a hitter's paradise you'd figure that the Phillies would be an offensive scoring machine. The Phillies are first in the National League in runs per game (5.5) and fifth in batting average (.263), however much of their offensive success has come away from Philly.

The Phillies are batting .252 with 39 HR, 145 runs scored, and are slugging .450 at home. On the road, they are batting .273 with 51 HR, 192 runs and are slugging .471. There isn't a dramatic difference in games played at home and on the road. Just 3.

The Phillies struggles at home can be targeted at the pitching, but the offense has not played to their expectations at a place where they can easily light up the scoreboard.