Home (Not So) Sweet Home: Some Thoughts Behind the Indians 2017 Struggles at Progressive Field

It's been a maddening season to the fans and those that have been watching the Indians on a daily basis, and while the team still sits at first place, it's hard

It's been a maddening season to the fans and those that have been watching the Indians on a daily basis, and while the team still sits at first place, it's hard to say they have played up to their potential based on the talent and expectations of what is expected of them.

Following Tuesday's ultra-frustrating 1-0 setback at Progressive Field, the fifth time this season they have been blanked, fans did what fans do, that is go to twitter and voice their displeasure about where this team is at.

Don't get me wrong, some of the criticism is very much valid, with questions regarding Jason Kipnis at the top of the order, Yan Gomes and lack of production at the catcher spot, and the always on spot chatter about the team not hitting with runners in scoring position.

Then of course there's the overreact of those on twitter who are calling for Terry Francona (who wasn't even on the bench last night due to being at the Cleveland Clinc) to be fired, and those saying the team is 'complete garbage.'

Remember, baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. This is still the same Indians team that won 7 of 8 on a recent road trip, and after a three-game disaster at home to the Twins beat the Rangers and Tigers in 5 of 7 before last night's failure.

So today the big question seems to be why this team has had so many problems winning at home this season, where they currently sit 18-22.

We take a look at a couple possible reasons, some backed up by simple statistics, some by what is being seen on a daily basis at the park.

1. The Numbers Don't Lie

In looking at the splits between home and away, the Indians clearly have played better on the road, going 26-16 away from Progressive Field, and just 18-22 when playing at home.

They are hitting nearly identical wherever they play in terms of batting average (.256 away, .259 at home), but the extra base hits have been more plentiful on the road.

The Tribe has nine more homers, five more triples and four more doubles on the road than at home. Yes it's true they have played two more road games than at home, but that's a total of 18 extra base hits away from Progressive Field.

In terms of pitching, the team has a 3.84 ERA at home, and a 3.85 ERA on the road, so that's not any big difference, but the team has been able to save more games on the road, with 14 saves away from Progressive Field to just six at home, an interesting difference.

Another number that points to the success the team has had on the road over at home is opponents slugging percentage. On the road teams are slugging at just .377, while visitors to Progressive Field are slugging at a clip of .422.

So while the numbers don't tell the whole story, they do give some background as to the problems the team has had.

2. Overconfidence?

Let's be honest, we've all loved to go back and look at highlights of all the exciting wins the team has had over the years in thrilling 9th inning comebacks - with the likes of Albert Belle, Jim Thome and even Travis Hafner hitting game-winning bombs.

But here and now it's 2017, and it seems that way too many times the club is playing like they are asleep at the wheel when it comes to having that killer instinct at home.

The lapses this team has had when playing at home this season seem to be their undoing on a number of nights. Tuesday for example it was the base running mistake by Jose Ramirez, then the two defensive lapses in the 5th that directly led to the Padres only run.

Then, not that it ended up mattering, but Yan Gomes got caught at the plate almost allowing another run to score when he didn't properly step up and apply a tag, but the call of out at home stood despite what appeared to be evidence that it could have been overturned.

The team has already been told by their manager Terry Francona more than once that they can't just throw their gloves on the field and expect to win.

It's as if they have to be reminded of it on a daily basis.

1. RISP

The numbers during the three losses to the Twins and even last night when it came to leaving runners in scoring position is staggering.

The Twins series saw the team go 1-for-23 with RISP, and then last night it reared its ugly head again - as they went 0-for-10.

The not coming up with clutch hits at home has been bad, so bad that it now appears on a number of nights that they are pressing at the plate, and the result has been loads of runners not crossing home plate.

On the road the team has just seemed a lot more comfortable coming up with key hits, though it's still a number that has been concerning the entire season.

If this team is going to get back to the promise land, they have to find a way to get clutch hits at key times. It's something they did last season - it hasn't carried over (like a number of things) in 2017.