Tigers vs. A's: What We Learned in Athletics' Big Game 3 Win

The Oakland Athletics shocked the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the ALDS on Monday at Comerica Park, taking a 2-1 series lead.

So why have the A's all of a sudden won two straight games, and what does Tigers manager Jim Leyland have to do (or not do) to compensate?

There are several key things we learned from the Athletics' 6-3 win in Game 3. Here is what stood out on Monday at Comerica Park. 

A's Offense is Underrated

We've been so accustomed to the Athletics teams of yore that used to win with small ball and pitching that we forget the A's posted the fourth-most runs in baseball during the regular season.

That included blasting 186 home runs, third in baseball.

In Game 3, the Tigers posted three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game, 3-3. Then the A's posted three more in the top of the fifth. Game over.

Those three runs came, naturally, via two home runs (one by Brandon Moss, one by Seth Smith). 

After the Athletics' 3-2 loss to Detroit in Game 1 and their 1-0 victory in Game 2, it was only natural to say the A's had to win this series with their pitching. Game 3 taught us that such a theory is misguided.

FYI: The A's scored 34 runs in four games at Comerica Park in late August.

Bob Melvin Is Currently Winning the Chess Match vs. Jim Leyland

Jim Leyland has been around this game for a long time. The 68-year-old has certainly earned his stripes. 

But right now, Bob Melvin is out-managing Leyland.

I'm specifically talking about Melvin's decision to start rookie Sonny Gray in Game 2 and clear No. 2 starter Jarrod Parker in Game 3. 

Melvin's thinking was simple. Gray had a 1.99 ERA in six home starts this season. It also didn't hurt that the Tigers had never faced the 2011 first-round pick.

On the other hand, Parker had a 4.17 ERA at home and a 3.74 ERA on the road. In his lone start against the Tigers at O.co Coliseum during the regular season, he was torched for eight runs in 3.1 innings.

Melvin's decision was a big reason why the Athletics won Games 2 and 3 after dropping Game 1 in Oakland. 

Also, Leyland's decision to keep starter Anibal Sanchez in the game after Moss' home run in the fifth inning was a mistake. It led to another two runs for the A's after Smith's bomb.

A's Can Test Jhonny Peralta in Left Field

Leyland opted to plug Jhonny Peralta into the Tigers' ALDS roster as a left fielder over Matt Tuiasosopo. His thinking was that Peralta could boost the offense against the Athletics.

Well, that plan backfired on Monday when Stephen Vogt scored on Coco Crisp's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.

Peralta did add a two-run single in the bottom of the frame to account for Vogt's score, but the A's learned that they could run on Peralta when he plays left field, and that is what matters. 

It's unclear whether Leyland will start Peralta in left field again (or even play him there at all), but, if he does, the A's will be ready.