The Rangers started a critical 10 game division road trip by getting swept by the first place Houston Astros. The Rangers have now lost seven games in a row and sit 12 games behind the Astros and seven games out of the 2^nd wild card spot in the American League.

For the 2019 Texas Rangers, it is time to sell.

It appears that the lack of pitching is finally catching up to the Rangers. They have now lost 11 of 14 July games against teams that are either fighting for a playoff spot or teams that are comfortably in a playoff spot.

In some ways, the decision to sell was made earlier in the season. While they were playing good baseball in June (18-11), the front office had to know that you can’t expect to continue competing for a playoff spot with only two capable starters.

While the Rangers have statistically been one of the best offensive teams in baseball for the majority of the season, one of the biggest flaws this season has been the strikeout. During this seven game losing streak, they have struck out 82 times.

Here are some of the notable struggles in the Rangers lineup.

Nomar Mazara is 4 for his last 31 with 12 strikeouts.

Joey Gallo is 3 for his last 30 with 17 strikeouts.

Rougned Odor is 3 for his last 29 with 13 strikeouts.

Ronald Guzman is 3 for his last 39 with 18 strikeouts.

Elvis Andrus is 4 for his last 29.

As trade talks heat up for Texas over the next 10 days, one thing to monitor is what type of players the Rangers are receiving back. There is a belief that the Rangers have changed their philosophy when it comes to the type of players they want to develop vs. the type of players they want to sign as free agents.

If you look at some of the best teams in baseball over the past few seasons, such as the Astros, Cubs, Yankees and Red Sox you will notice that they have been developing position players and acquiring most of their pitching via trade or free agency.

The philosophy is being led by hard throwing young pitchers being more susceptible to injuries. There have been multiple studies done since 2010 that show the pitchers that have the highest velocity are more prone to Tommy John Surgery.

In a 2010 study, the American Journal of Sports Medicine followed 23 professional pitchers. The three hardest throwing pitchers all had to undergo Tommy John Surgery.

In 2017, 80 percent of pitchers who threw an average of 95 mph or were put on the disabled list at some point during the season. Only 29 percent of pitchers who threw between 93 mph and 95 mph were put on the disabled list but they were still not on the DL as long as the harder throwers.

Buckle up, this Rangers team could look drastically different when they return home July 30^th against the Seattle Mariners.