Angels News: Phil Nevin Doesn't Feel Injuries Take All the Blame for Rough First Half

There are multiple reasons for the teams struggles..

For the first time since April, the Los Angeles Angels find themselves below .500 as the team enters into the All-Star break. They have dropped five straight games and nine of their last 10 overall, sending them down in the standings. Just a few weeks ago, this Angels squad looked promising for the first time in a long time but fast forward to now and their future is as murky as ever. 

They have dealt with a ton of injuries to their roster and it has hurt them. But even prior to the injuries, the team was starting to trend downhill. Now as the All-Star break opens, the Angels are left searching for answers. But their manager Phil Nevin isn't blaming the teams struggles solely on the injuries.

“We’ve had our share of injuries, but we have not played well. We’re better than this,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “Even with the bodies that we do have here. We can pitch better, play better defense, take better at-bats in situations. Getting away from it for these five days probably couldn’t come at a better time, to be honest with you.”

Per The OC Register

While injuries have taken a toll on this team, it's now the next men up mentality. They need to figure something out or lose this season that started out with so much hope. 

Maybe the break is just what this team needs. Pitcher Reid Detmers seems to think so as he spoke after a poor outing in the teams final game before the All-Star festivities. 

“We need a break. We just need to get our heads right,” said Detmers, who gave up seven runs in just 3⅓ innings. “Hopefully this break will get us back and get us back to winning..."

Per The OC Register

No matter what this team does, they need to choose a direction. Either go all-in and try to make the postseason or decide to be sellers and get some assets for the future. They need a plan and it seems, at least right now, that they don't have one. That in itself could be their biggest issue here.