This has been a very strange (and mostly bad) baseball season so far. A lot of unusual things have happened, but one of the things that has perplexed me most is the White Sox complete inability to hit at home.
In past years, we've seen the Sox kill the ball at home and struggle a bit on the road. The reverse is true this season. Let's take a look at the numbers, updated after tonight's 5-2 home loss to a very good Los Angeles Dodgers team.
2009 White Sox
Home record: 16-19
Road record: 17-18
Home batting average: .217
Road batting average: .280
Home runs at home: 36
Home runs on the road: 39
Runs at home: 119
Runs on the road: 173
Let's compare with last season.
2008 White Sox
Home record: 54-28
Road record: 35-46
Home batting average: .273
Road batting average: .252
Home runs at home: 143
Home runs on the road: 92
Runs at home: 472
Runs on the road: 339
The comparison is like night and day. I have no explanation for why the Sox hit 63 points higher on the road than they do at U.S. Cellular Field. If I did, I'd call Ozzie Guillen and Greg Walker.
As it stands, the Sox aren't putting on much of a show for their home fans. Really, this is the worst I've seen the Sox play at home in probably the last 20 years.
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