Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Joey:

The A’s are on a roll, playing their best ball of the season at 8-2. They finished the homestand at 4-1–an improvement over some past homestands they’ve had this year. Friday night, the A’s will start Paul Blackburn (2-2, 6.46 ERA). Blackburn has struggled in some of his outings. A’s pitching coach Scott Emerson said Blackburn has improved in bullpen practices. Last Friday, Blackburn beat Cleveland, going 6.1 innings and didn’t allow a run.

A’s pitcher Edwin Jackson will get the start for Oakland on Saturday his third start of the year. Jackson is throwing well. He’s allowed two or less runs in his last two starts. The A’s are 8 1/2 games out of first place behind the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners, who just ended their eight-game win streak, are in second.

Joey Friedman does the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com