Nashville's Rob Blackedge Talks Red Sox Baseball

Mississippi native and Nashville resident Rob Blackledge is releasing his debut album, Inside These Walls, on September 15 on One Revolution Entertainment. Rob is also a former baseball prospect who had interest from the Marlins, Braves and Astros before he decided to go to Belmont University, and later to become an aspiring recording artist. He made a good choice, because Rob's album, which is chock full of pop, rock, soul is one of the best debuts to come out of Nashville in a while. He's also a huge Red Sox fan, and we had the chance to ask Rob a few questions about the state of his favorite team:

Musicians Talking Sports: After the Sox started off dominating the Yankees, what do you think happened to make things drastically turn the other way?

Rob Blackledge: I think it was more to do with the "coming together" of the Yankees than any sort of disruption in the Sox gameplan. Let's face it. The Yankees have bought as many of the league's best players as they can. When they are firing on all 9, they are tough to beat. I think we had some pitching lapses, and the Yankees were on fire.

MTS: Do you think Big Papi starting the first two months of the season with no home runs had anything to do with, you know, steroids or lack thereof?

RB: I love baseball, but I'm a realist. I think he did have some adjusting to do.

MTS: How do you feel about the Sox trading for Billy Wagner?

RB: I think it has more to do with what Papelbon thinks. He seems to like the acquisition. Of course we have all known Jonny (Papelbon) to be a little testy at times but I think that if Wagner is used well and sparingly, he could be great in the postseason. That's what it's all about anyway. We are going to need 9 innings (or more) of solid pitching. 27 outs.

MTS: If the Sox hang on and win the wild card, how do you predict things will shake out in the playoffs?

RB: I think it comes back to a Sox/Yanks ALCS. They are the two best teams in the league. It's pretty easy to see. Anything that comes from the central will be a huge surprise, and again, like last year, I think we can handle the Angels. I was worried about them last year, but I think with our new bats and our consistent pitching, we will do well on the west coast.

Check out more about Rob's forthcoming album at www.robblackledge.com