The Cleveland Guardians’ 8-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday offered a glimpse of how the club intends to address its longstanding power deficiency. Rhys Hoskins, signed in the off-season to provide a middle-of-the-order threat, delivered with a home run as part of a multipronged offensive attack. For a Guardians team that finished last in the American League in home runs in 2023, Hoskins’ contributions — even in a single game — represent the kind of reliable run production the organization has lacked. Yet the victory also underscores a persistent tension: Cleveland’s pitching staff allowed five runs to an Athletics lineup that ranks near the bottom of the league in scoring. The Guardians’ ability to outslug opponents, rather than rely solely on defense and bullpen, remains an open question as the season progresses.