Why There’s No Place Like Home For Resurgent Red Sox
Boston's making the most of its home-field advantage
Throughout the years, Fenway Park has often been an advantage for Boston Red Sox teams, many of which were tailor-made to take advantage of the park’s unique dimensions. The best Red Sox squads have usually dominated there, from 2004 (55-26) to 2018 (57-24).
Recently, however, that hasn’t been the case. Boston had a losing record at home in each of the last two seasons, going 39-42 there in 2023 and 38-43 in 2024. Both times, the team missed the playoffs.
This year, the Red Sox have finally regained their home-field advantage. Entering play on Monday, Boston has the third-most home wins in baseball (37), behind only the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets (38 apiece).
The Red Sox have a losing record on the road (25-30), but they’ve been so good at Fenway that it hasn’t mattered. They’re 37-21 (.638 winning percentage) with a plus-73 run differential there after sweeping the Houston Astros over the weekend. They’ve won five straight home series, going 14-2 over their last 16 home games.
As expected, Boston’s bats have been much better at home, which is one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the big leagues. The Red Sox have a .790 OPS and are averaging 5.24 runs per game there compared to a .720 OPS and 4.65 runs per game everywhere else.
Despite the challenges of pitching at Fenway, Boston’s arms have also been more effective there, compiling a 3.41 ERA and a .676 opponent OPS versus a 4.03 ERA and a .710 OPS in road games.
Of the Red Sox’s 49 remaining games, 23 are at home, including three this week against the Kansas City Royals. Boston will look to keep rolling against the Royals, who are in the middle of a nine-game road trip after taking two of three from the Blue Jays over the weekend.
