ST. LOUIS — The middling Mets return from their off day to open a three-game set here tonight with the Cardinals. That gives Jerry Manuel another shot to do the only logical thing and make Ryan Church the team’s everyday right fielder, as I contend in my column in today’s editions. The Mets finally did “write” by Doc Gooden and will preserve his autograph at Citi Field.

In the notes, Manuel says Gary Sheffield can expect more playing time.