Mullins on All-Star talk, latest losing stretch and his T-shirt night

When the Orioles open a home series with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight, the game will feature the players that are first and second in the American League in hits, and first and fifth in Wins Above Replacement (FanGraphs.com version) in the majors.

Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the AL with 82 hits and Cedric Mullins of the Orioles is next with 81. Guerrero has produced a 4.1 WAR with Mullins is at 3.0.

Mullins and his teammates begin a homestand tonight trying to end another long losing streak as they host Toronto. This time they have lost eight in a row since their last win on June 8 at home versus the New York Mets.

During an on-field interview today, Mullins told reporters how the team is handling the struggles on the field within the clubhouse.

"Just a lot of communication, I think, is going to be key for us to make it through this stretch," he said. "Continuing to have the tough talks. Situations that we feel like that are collapsing during games we need to have those talks so it doesn't happen again and we can capitalize on the other team's mistakes as well."

Mullins is batting .315/.388/.514 with 18 doubles, three triples, nine homers and 19 RBIs. Having an All-Star season while his team is 24 games under .500 and is 5-23 since May 16.

"It's been tough. I am always trying to contribute to wins and I know I'm going out there and playing really well as of now. Trying to keep the confidence in the team as high as well and look for a turnaround," Mullins said.

Mullins is flattered by the All-Star talk.

"Yeah it's kind of hard to ignore it, with people continuing to bring it up. But once I play ball, I have to put that aside and try to help the team each day. And the All-Star game will be what it is," he said.

Mullins ranked 10th among AL outfielders with 145,537 votes in the first All-Star balloting released recently. Yes, that is rather low for a player that ranks first among AL outfielders in hits, OBP, OPS (.901), fWAR (3.0) and weighted runs above average (18.00), tied for first in total bases (132), second in batting average and slugging, tied for second in doubles (18) and tied for third in extra-base hits (30). His seven Outs Above Average and six runs prevented are the most by a center fielder in the majors, according to Statcast.

While Mullins continues to thrive on the field - and he's batting .400/.492/.700 in June - today he learned that someone he's played alongside in the majors and minors, catcher Chance Sisco, was designated for assignment.

"Yeah, I just heard about it and I have to reach out to him and make sure that he's mentally strong," Mullins said. "I know he has the ability to do it. Just a matter of putting it all together. We've all had our challenges doing it, including myself. So I can relate to what he is going through and hopefully he's able to find his way."

Mullins' teammates continue to wear their Mullins T-shirts during batting practice and tonight many fans can join them. The first 15,000 fans 15 and over that come to tonight's game will get a Mullins t-shirt at Camden Yards.

"It's fun. Being able to come out and see the guys rocking the Mullins shirts," he said. "I know they are doing a giveaway and I'm able to give some to my family at some point, so that should be cool as well. It's not my primary focus. I'm trying to go out there and continue to play hard," he said.

Mullins said he takes a lot of pride - and pride is a fitting word - in coming back from a the player that ended the 2019 season in Double-A but it now considered All-Star worthy.

"I'm full of it (pride)," he said. "It's one of those where I know that, outside of the circle that helped get me to this point, there was a lot of self-motivation involved and I carry that with me."