Home Homers

The Yankees have hit 39 home runs in 20 games thus far this season. Much of that stretch is without A-rod. Everyone is talking about the fact that the approx. 2 per game average is so high.

Here is some perspective:

The Average One Team Home Run Per Game Total Through 2008

What is clear is that MLB is now in a homerun downturn (thanks to a lack of anabolic steroids); however, Yankee Stadium has not met the trend this year. Granted it is a small sample, but, it is not only the Yankees hitting. The Yankees pitchers have given up 36 home homers.

To compare, the Yankees have hit/given up 49 (hit 27, given up 22) homeruns in road games - in 21 games (above average, but not dramatically so).

At home, the Home (at Yankee Stadium) number is 75% above the average of 2 per game (total) while the Road number is only 33% above average.

That's the info.

With the Phillies coming in led by Brett Myers and his league leading 12 homeruns allowed and Phillies starter leading 4.50 ERA (yes, he has the lowest ERA among Phillies starters!), the Yankees are sure to hit a few this weekend. Oh, by the way, with Utley, Howard and Ibanez batting lefthanded, the Phillies will hit some bombs as well.

One final note (this usually means I'm about to talk about basketball. Since all New York/NJ basketball teams stink, I must P.S. any playoff basketball talk): The Lakers are in another competitive series, but this time it's no surprise. The winner of each game will be dependent on which team's ancillary guys play better. In game 1 it was the Lakers and tonight Kleiza won the game with his 16 points off the bench for the Nuggets. Plain and simple.

Yaros