Boston, Toronto & New York: Are these the best MLB homefield advantages?

Because so much can happen in a baseball game on any given pitch, fans are well aware of the impact that a little noise can have on the players. The anticipation builds as the pitcher looks into home plate, and the hitters digs into the box. We’ll take a look at a few MLB teams that have a clear homefield advantage playing in their friendly confines.

The Red Sox play in the oldest ballpark in baseball, but its unique orientation and charm leave road teams rattled. The Green Monster wall out in left field can be a help and a hindrance, as well as a temptation for right-handed hitters to pull everything. This can throw them off their game, in addition to the atmosphere Boston fans create every night.

There’s something to be said about an entire country rooting for a team, and that’s the unique advantage the Blue Jays have. Canadian baseball fans channel their passion in one direction, and that energy is certainly palpable when the team is performing well. Their home stadium, Rogers Centre, feels extra loud when the roof of the building is closed.

It’s the house that Ruth built...sort of. New York moved into the new iteration of Yankee Stadium in 2009, which some fans like to call “the house that Jeter built.” Regardless of who gets credit for the construction, the place is always rocking with passionate Yankees fans. They are known for taking “roll call” at the beginning of the game, to pay homage to the starting lineup.

Some comedically inclined baseball fans might poke fun at the Astros’ inclusion in this piece given their cheating scandal from a few years ago. However, Houston supporters have been loyal and supportive since they played their games in the Astrodome. The team has hosted some critical playoff games in recent years, and the fans are ardent baseball lovers.

The Braves have been the class of the NL East for the better part of thirty years, and their fans certainly know how to get inside opponent’s heads. Atlanta is known for the tomahawk chop chant, which is very different than traditions of other fan bases. The Braves have also appeared to be a step ahead strategically, which adds to the misery of road teams.

Across all sports, Philadelphia is known for a fan base that is going to give opponents a rough time. On the more whimsical side however, the Phillies employ one of the most popular mascots in the game; the Philly Phanatic. It’s hard to tell exactly what type of species the Phanatic belongs to, but he’s always doing a great job pumping up the crowd.

Wrigley Field is the second oldest ballpark in MLB, and is one of the most special places to play. The Cubs used to be known as “loveable losers” for many decades, but that perception changed when they won the World Series in 2016. The venue can get pretty intense during night games, especially with a chill in the air during the postseason.

The ballpark has experienced several name changes, but the Giants home stadium is one of the most unique in the sport. It sits right by the San Francisco Bay, and invites some windy conditions due to its location. Gusts can mess with opposing players, as they might feel they hit a ball pretty well, only for it to die 20 feet in front of the warning track.

A little further down the California coast, the Dodgers also have an advantage when it comes to welcoming opposing teams. Their stadium is also one of the oldest in the game, but the lower sightlines make fans feel like they are right on top of the players. Dodger Stadium is also known for blasting some loud music when players from the bullpen enter the game.