More Britton and tonight's game

The Orioles will have a locker set up today for closer Zach Britton in the visiting clubhouse at Glove Life Park. He's still with the team. The Orioles still haven't jumped into the trade activity as the non-waiver deadline nears.

Scouts are following the Orioles - you'll find them in every ballpark - and Britton has proven to be a difficult read. There are lingering concerns among some of them regarding Britton's health, though his velocity is up and there are no signs of the forearm strain that twice put him on the disabled list.

Britton is fine physically. Anyone who thinks otherwise has unrolled the jumping to conclusions mat.

The stats don't favor Britton, of course. He's carrying a 3.50 ERA and 1.833 WHIP in 18 innings and hasn't worked on back-to-back days since coming off the disabled list. But the July 20 game against the Rangers included a two-out double on a ground ball past third base and a two-run single on a high chopper that cleared Britton's head. The first two outs came on ground balls.

Britton lost the plate midway through his outing, which included a wild pitch and walk. He had two full counts. He isn't back to 2016 form and it's slowing his market.

As I wrote a few days ago, the Orioles are looking for the type of return for Britton that will provide a "substantial improvement to the club," as one source worded it. Some teams may need more convincing.

Brad Brach has garnered significant interest all along and could be moved instead of Britton, but for less of a return. And we're back to wondering whether the Orioles are comfortable giving Britton another raise beyond the $11.4 million he's making this year. If you aren't going to pay and you aren't going to non-tender him, that leaves trading him now or during the offseason when he becomes a potential rental.

A report on ESPN.com cited how the Orioles are viewed by a source as a team prepared to "go either way" with their deadline approach. That's precisely how the situation has been conveyed here and by other local beat writers. Executive vice president Dan Duquette seeks improvements for 2017 and beyond, beginning with a starting pitcher. The Orioles also want prospects with an eye pointed toward the future. They haven't conceded the season, but could weaken their bullpen and therefore reduce their chances of making a serious run at the playoffs.

If it sounds confusing, that's because it is. I've talked to people in the organization who use that word.

I'll repeat that the Orioles need to determine whether ownership will approve another raise for Britton and whether there's any chance they re-sign him if he hits free agency. It's tied into their current situation. A firm "no" makes it easier to trade him.

Also harder if he's deemed a health risk and the Orioles don't lower their demands.

It's confusing.

Meanwhile, in keeping with the Twitter spirit this week, I'm reporting that most people like pizza, many of them will consider ordering it, but not everyone will pick up the phone.

The Orioles hit their highest post-break notes with their four-game sweep of the Rangers, outscoring them 34-11. They lost three of four in Arlington last season, the finale pushed back two months after a bizarre morning postponement that was followed by sunshine throughout the rest of the day.

Mark Trumbo became the first Oriole to homer twice in the same inning when he connected twice in the top of the seventh in an 11-5 win on April 15.

Chris Tillman's finest start this season came against the Rangers on July 17, when he allowed one run and two hits in six innings. He's 3-2 with a 4.89 ERA and 1.413 WHIP in eight career starts and 3-1 with a 5.08 ERA and 1.341 WHIP in five starts in Texas.

Tillman surrendered six runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings on April 14, 2016 in Texas and five runs and six hits with three walks in one inning on June 5, 2014.

Adrian Beltre, who's four hits shy of 3,000, is 8-for-18 with two doubles and a home run against Tillman.

Rangers right-hander Andrew Cashner has recorded three quality starts in his three outings this month. He held the Orioles to three runs in 6 2/3 innings in a 3-1 loss at Camden Yards.

Cashner has made two career starts against the Orioles and allowed four earned runs (five total) in 14 innings. Seth Smith is 3-for-7 with two doubles and a home run.