Mattingly's Comments Turn Dodgers Season Into Circus of Turmoil

It has been a tough season for Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, and he's only making it tougher.

Fans and media alike have already been calling for his firing during his team's eight-game losing streak, and again after the sweep in Atlanta. Now, he's bringing even more heat upon himself by saying he has little faith in his team's players and general manager.

In Wednesday's pre-game interview, Mattingly was questioned about why he did not have Andre Ethier in the lineup. Many presumed it was due to injury, but Mattingly made it clear that Scott Van Slyke got the start over Ethier because he wants his team to win.

"I'm putting out my lineup that I feel is going to be the most competitive and going to compete the hardest," he said.

Not only did Don Mattingly show a lack of faith in his right fielder, he also questioned Ethier's work ethic and competitiveness. Talk about a manager throwing a player under the bus.

That is not the way Don Mattingly has been managing this clubhouse, and it was shocking to hear.

Mattingly also brought up that the Dodgers have considered the idea of calling up outfielders Yasiel Puig and Joc Pederson from the minors.

This just adds on to the lack of faith he has in this team.

Mattingly later challenged the way that General Manager Ned Colletti and the front office are building this team:

"Part of it is the mixture of competitiveness," he said. "It's not just putting an All-Star team out there and the All-Star team wins. You try to find that balance of a team that's got a little grit and fight, and has enough talent to get there also. It's not all grit and not talent that gets there, and it's not all talent and no grit. It's a mixture of both."

So what do these comments boil down to?

Mattingly could be trying to motivate an under-performing squad by threatening their jobs with minor league replacements. Or he might be trying to prove that he is not at fault for the Dodgers sitting in last place with an 18-26 record.

Whatever the case, his comments are turning this Dodgers season into a circus of turmoil.

The team heads home to face St. Louis starting Friday. It remains to be seen how much longer the team will helmed by Mattingly.