A first-place team rarely finds itself balancing buying and selling at the trade deadline, but the Cleveland Guardians may be preparing to do exactly that as August approaches.

The Guardians, after going 2-1 against the Yankees to start this six-game trip, are 2-2. They lost four of six games to Texas last year. Finally, the Guardians put a threat together in the ninth when Stuart Fairchild walked and Hedges singled him to second with two out. Jacob Latz ended it by striking out Rocchio on a 3-2 pitch.

The Cleveland Guardians and the Texas Rangers open a 3-game series Friday in Arlington, Texas. First pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.

This story was excerpted from Tim Stebbins’ Guardians Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. CLEVELAND -- Rhys Hoskins was in some unfamiliar territory this past offseason.

José Ramírez launched one of Cleveland’s three home runs off Gerrit Cole and finished with three hits for the second consecutive game as the Guardians beat the New York Yankees 5-4.

It's hard to imagine that many believed that Jose Ramirez and Travis Bazzana would be playing on the same team together, let alone providing the Guardians with elite play at the same time. It has made a difference for the offense.

The Cleveland Guardians finally solved the middle-infield issues that seemingly plagued them since the dawn of time.

The Red RAngers