DETROIT -- As each exhausted player and manager made his way to the podium at Comerica Park on Sunday afternoon, they agreed on two things:
They hadn't gotten nearly enough sleep, and they aren't surprised that the Tigers and Athletics have combined for only six runs in the first two games of the ALDS.
"This is what postseason baseball is like," said Tigers catcher Alex Avila, who said he arrived home at 8:30 a.m. after the flight from Oakland. "Both of our teams produce runs with extra-base hits and homers, and we're both good at taking advantage of a lot of the opportunities that we get.
"The difference is that, in October, you might only get one or two of those opportunities in each game."
Oakland manager Bob Melvin agreed, saying that he's not surprised that two of the American League's best offenses have been held in check through two games.
"Pitching always seems to rule in the postseason, and that's what is happening here," he said. "Both teams have gotten two great pitching performances. They had (Max) Scherzer and (Justin) Verlander really step up, and we had Bartolo (Colon) and Sonny (Gray) do the same thing.
"With the hitters that they have and we have, there's always a chance that someone is going to break out with some big innings, but this is what you tend to see in the playoffs."
Tigers mangers Jim Leyland feels the same way, which is why he announced a change for Game 3 that he didn't seem entirely comfortable with -- starting Jhonny Peralta in left field.
"These have been two fantastic games, but when you see this kind of pitching, you know you have to do anything you can to produce some offense," Leyland said. "We're not going to start stealing five bases a game, so we're going to put Jhonny out there and try to stretch the lineup a little bit.
"We know he's a quality hitter who can line a ball into the gap or hit one over the fence."
Peralta's bat isn't the question. He's still a beginner when it comes to playing the outfield, where he started working only near the end of his 50-game PED suspension.
"You don't know what is going to happen with him defensively, but we've got to try anything we can to get the offense going," Leyland said. "The best-case scenario is that he drives in a couple runs, helps us build a lead and then we can get him out of there for a better defensive outfielder."
Along with the extra bat, the Tigers should have a better chance Monday against Oakland starter Jarrod Parker. Verlander beat Parker in Games 1 and 5 of last year's ALDS.
Although, Parker posted a 13-8 record with a 3.97 ERA this season, he's a far cry from Oakland's first two pitchers. Colon was an All-Star, and the 23-year-old Gray showed spectacular poise in just his 11th career start.
"You at least expect a young guy to struggle with his composure a little in a situation like that," Leyland said. "He was unbelievable.
"Don't get me wrong, Justin was fantastic for us, but that kid was amazing. He only gave us a couple chances all night."
The Tigers might have to face Gray again -- Melvin could bring him back on normal rest for Game 5 -- but it will be Parker against Anibal Sanchez on Monday.
"We're in a position that, after what Max and Justin gave us in the first two games, we've got the guy who led the American League in ERA for Game 3," Leyland said. "That's a good feeling."
Sanchez also has one advantage over Parker and everyone else in the series -- a good night's sleep Saturday. He left Oakland early in the day and watched the 1-0 loss on television at home.
"It was tough to watch on TV -- it was just as stressful as being there -- but at least I got a lot of rest at my own place," Sanchez said. "I got a good night of sleep and I'll get another one tonight, and I'll be ready to go in the morning. I like pitching day games, especially in front of our fans."
Leyland acknowledged the walk-off loss in Game 2 was tough, saying the fans would have probably been happier with a split in Oakland if they had lost 5-1 on Saturday, but Avila said it was just a sign of what is to come.
"We've won a game and so have they," he said. "We've scored three runs and so have they.
"Now we're at home, so everyone needs to strap in and see what happens next."
