When the San Diego Padres take a lead into the seventh inning, consider that game a victory. With the bullpen trio of Mike Adams, Luke Gregerson and closer Heath Bell, the Padres have a triple-threat of pitchers who could all be trusted to close out games. Manager Bud Black has shown that he’s not afraid to use any of the three in any situation, and the Padres are holding onto a slim lead in the NL West as a result.

Bell earned the closer role in 2009 and recorded 42 saves in 48 tries to lead the National League. In 2010, he is 17 for 20 in save converts. He has a 2.22 ERA, despite hitters batting .273 off of him. A power pitcher due to his size, 6’3”, 250 pounds, he has recorded 36 strikeouts in 28.1 innings. Despite being known as a very hittable reliever, Bell is one of the most consistently effective closers in baseball.

Luke Gregerson has been unreal in his first two seasons in the majors. He has a 2.71 ERA, including 1.56 in 2010. He has an 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings ratio, having recorded 135 in 109.2 innings as opposed to just 33 walks. His WHIP this season is 0.462. Adams isn’t far behind in his effectiveness. This season he has a 2.30 ERA, 35 strikeouts, 10 walks and a WHIP of 0.926 in 31.1 innings.

Gregerson simply refused to walk batters. He’s young and has a lot of upside. He challenges hitters and often comes out victorious. Adams is right there with him as a feared reliever. Leading the two is big Heath Bell. The rest of the Padres bullpen almost doesn’t even matter with these three present. It’s a tight race in the West right now, but used correctly, the Padres can cruise through the back end of ballgames from now until the postseason.