The St. Louis Cardinals have been experiencing a stark contrast in offensive performance between their home games at Busch Stadium and their road outings this season. A recent incident highlighted this disparity when Nolan Gorman, the team's left-handed slugger, returned to the dugout visibly frustrated after a powerful hit that fell short of a home run. Gorman's drive off Kirby Yates registered an impressive exit velocity of 102.7 mph and a launch angle of 39 degrees, yet it resulted in a mere out at Busch Stadium, where it would have cleared the fence in 21 of 30 Major League Baseball parks, according to Baseball Savant.
This scenario encapsulates the ongoing struggles the Cardinals face at home, where they have consistently underperformed offensively compared to their road games. Following a remarkable 13-run performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which marked the highest run total the Cardinals have ever achieved at Dodger Stadium in its 64-year history, the gap between their home and away production has only widened. Heading into their game against the Dodgers, the Cardinals were averaging 5.2 runs per game on the road, placing them third in the league. In stark contrast, their home average of 3.8 runs per game ranks them 29th in MLB.
The statistics paint a clear picture of the Cardinals' struggles at Busch Stadium. The team has scored 75 more runs on the road than at home, despite having five fewer games to do so. Additionally, they have hit 85 home runs away from home, ranking 12th in the league, while only managing 63 home runs at Busch Stadium, which ties them for 27th in that category.
The impact of these offensive struggles is reflected in the Cardinals' overall record. As of Wednesday's game, the team held a record of 35-32 on the road, sitting three games above .500, while their home record was a disappointing 34-38, placing them four games under .500. This discrepancy has led to renewed discussions among fans regarding the dimensions of Busch Stadium and whether adjustments should be made to the outfield fences.
Interestingly, the Cardinals' pitching staff has also contributed to the narrative of home versus away performance. While the team has allowed 83 home runs on the road, they have given up only 55 at home, which is tied for the lowest in MLB this season. Notably, pitchers like Kyle Leahy have seen a significant difference in their performance, allowing just three home runs at Busch Stadium compared to ten on the road. Similarly, Andre Pallante boasts a strong 7-0 record with a 2.93 ERA away from home, while struggling with a 4.02 ERA at Busch Stadium.
Among the team's hitters, the preference for road games is evident. All-Star Jordan Walker leads the team with 68 RBIs on the road, hitting eight more home runs and four more doubles compared to his home stats. Alec Burleson also showcases a remarkable disparity, with a batting average 50 points higher on the road and double the home runs away from Busch Stadium.
Rookie JJ Wetherholt, who started his career strong with a home run in his debut and a walk-off single in his second game, has also faced challenges at home. Despite his early success, he has struggled to maintain that production at Busch Stadium, where his OPS ranks as the lowest among players with significant at-bats. In contrast, his road performance has been significantly better, hitting 39 points higher and producing more doubles and RBIs.
As the Cardinals navigate the remainder of the season, the disparity between their home and away performances remains a significant talking point. While players like Walker and Burleson thrive on the road, the team as a whole must find a way to translate that success to their home games at Busch Stadium.
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