The Mets’ fateful offseason comes to life once again tonight when Oliver Perez takes on the Braves’ Derek Lowe in the opener of a three-game series at Citi Field.

The Mets strongly pursued Lowe last winter before Atlanta overwhelmed him with a $60 million offer, prompting GM Omar Minaya to settle on Perez as a three-year, $36 million fall-back.

That fall-back didn’t need long to backfire on the Mets as Lowe established himself as the Braves’ ace while Perez was yanked from the rotation after a dismal April. Perez has pitched much better lately, allowing just seven earned runs in his past four starts combined, but doesn’t have a decision since July 21. Perez is 6-4 with a 3.53 ERA in 15 career starts against Atlanta.

Lowe, meanwhile, comes in with a 12-7 record and 4.08 ERA this season, including a 1-0 mark in two starts against the Mets.

Here is the 55-63 Mets’ order for the 7:10 p.m. game:

Angel Pagan CF

Luis Castillo 2B

Gary Sheffield LF

Daniel Murphy 1B

Jeff Francoeur RF

Fernando Tatis 3B

Omir Santos C

Anderson Hernandez SS

Oliver Perez LHP (2-3, 5.97)

Perez’s numbers against the Braves’ hitters