Home field advantage

[Bandit34]

I've been thinking of the Target Field blues lately. What do you guys think is the main reason why the Twins have struggled at home this year as well as in most of Target Field's history? Honestly, for as long as the ballpark has been open, I can only think of a handful of good memories made in the park and it has always been an ominous place to play. When the Dome was open, I felt really good when we were going back to the Dome for a homestand. That feeling has never been there for me in Target Field's history. I'm sure our record was pretty good in 2010 at home and last year's home record was decent but I generally do not know the records from the time it has opened. All I know is the place has a bad aura for me, always has. I sometimes feel like the air raid sirens and loud music during at bats might actually distract some of our hitters. That's all I can come up with. It would distract me. 

[yarnivek1972]

My immediate reaction is twofold:

 

The starting pitcher getting hit early in the first before the offense has a chance would be one reason to struggle at home.

 

Second, the offense striking first on the road and all but putting the game out of reach before the other team hits.

 

Of course, this is an “eye test” reaction. I have no supporting data.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I do dislike the air raid sirens. My wife wondered if they are a public safety hazard too.

 

Funny thing, first Wednesday of every month, public emergency systems are tested between 1:00-1:15 PM. So actual emergency sirens went off during the Twins game vs Atlanta at Target Field on August 7. I wonder if fans noticed the difference.

[stringer bell]

Last year, the Twins won 49 games at home and only won 29 on the road. I think a lot of it is random. Home teams generally win about 55% of the time, but some years don't pan out like that.

[Harrison Greeley III]

At the moment their OPS splits are

 

Home: .820
Road: .852

 

They are better on the road. But it's not like they're a bad team at home. They're still playing .569 ball at home. It's more that they're just REALLY good on the road this year, playing .645 ball. I'm not sure why.

 

Non-scientifically, I get a sense there's a higher level of confidence they have on the road across the board.