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.

ARLINGTON — The Guardians failed to convert scoring chances in the early innings Friday night, and it came back to beat them at Globe Life Field. Manager Stephen Vogt’s team went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position through six innings in a 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

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.

NEW YORK — The Guardians started Thursday with a chance to sweep the Yankees for just the second time since new Yankee Stadium opened in 2009. They were facing Carlos Rodon, who has tormented them for years.

The Red RAngers

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker found an offensive spark when he asked Brandon Nimmo to move out of the leadoff spot. Schumaker said he expects the move to continue to pay dividends on Friday night when the Rangers open a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians in Arlington,