Underdog role nothing new for A’s pitcher Edwin Jackson

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Edwin Jackson throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, June 25, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)OAKLAND — Edwin Jackson loves this. Playing for a team who consistently carries one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. Buried by critics in a division you’re given no shot of competing in. A half-empty home stadium that’s only packed when fans of the opposing team invades it. It’s the makings of a World Series team, at least in Jackson’s experience.

Ten years ago, Jackson was a member of the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays, who flipped a terrible 66-96 2007 season by shocking the baseball world as they went 97-65.…