Trevor Hoffman, the Padres’ lone representative in tonight’s All-Star game, has a 1.03 ERA at the break. With 24 saves under his belt already, there’s a strong chance that he’ll get the 19 more he needs to pass Lee Smith for the all-time record before the season is over. And even though it seems like Hoffman gives up a hit every time he comes in, the fact is, he’s holding opposing batters to a .200/.235/.254 line in 2006. Yes, this is the first time he’s had a K/9 below 7 since he pitched for the Marlins. But if it comes at the cost of sub-500 OPS against, I’ll take it.

Despite serving up a ton of longballs (eight in 40 appearances so far this year, vs four in 73 last year), Scott Linebrink again has been one of the better setup men in the game, limiting the opposition to a .193/.245/.373 line in 2006. He also provided a glimpse of what his future might hold when he nailed down the save against Washington in the first-half finale by retiring the Nationals’ 2-3-4 hitters on two routine grounders to shortstop and a three-pitch strikeout to end the game.

The rest of Kevin Towers’ bargain basement bullpen has been reasonably solid, if a shade inconsistent. Scott Cassidy was brilliant early (0.68 ERA in April) before settling into a pattern of coughing up homers or walking really bad hitters at inopportune times.

Brian Sweeney has pitched effectively while absorbing innings. Jon Adkins, Alan Embree, and Brian Sikorski all have had their moments, and Cla Meredith — acquired in the deal that brought Josh Bard to San Diego — bailed his starter out in a couple key games just before the All-Star break. The only guy who did any real damage was Jim Brower, and he was allowed to work just 7 2/3 innings before being whisked out the door.

There have been chinks in the armor, but only the Mets’ bullpen has a lower ERA among all big-league teams. And when you consider that, with the exception of Hoffman, the Padres are doing it with a group of guys that other teams didn’t really want and who came very cheaply, it’s hard not to be pleased with the results.

Grade: B+