The Mets try to keep the momentum from Tuesday’s win going tonight when Oliver Perez takes on Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano in the third game of a crucial four-game set for the Amazin’s at Shea Stadium. The Mets begin play this evening 1½ games behind the Phillies in the NL Central and just one game ahead of the Brewers in the wild card with five games remaining.

Perez has just one decision (a victory) in his past seven starts but is 4-1 with a 4.01 ERA since July 29. The left-hander, who has not faced the Cubs this season, gave up three runs in six innings of a 9-5 win at Atlanta last week in his most recent outing.

Perez and the Mets will be faced by the righty Zambrano, who threw a no-hitter against the Astros in Milwaukee on Sept. 14 but is coming off a loss to the Cardinals in his most recent start. Zambrano will be backed by a lineup filled mostly with regulars (including Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez) as Cubs manager Lou Piniella has decided to play it straight despite having already clinched the division.

As for Jerry Manuel‘s lineup, second baseman Luis Castillo is getting a much-deserved sitdown in favor of Argenis Reyes. Manuel also is giving lefty hitters Daniel Murphy and Brian Schneider starts with the Mets facing a right-hander.

The lineup for the 87-70 Mets:

Jose Reyes SS

Daniel Murphy LF

David Wright 3B

Carlos Delgado 1B

Carlos Beltran CF

Ryan Church RF

Brian Schneider C

Argenis Reyes 2B

Oliver Perez LHP (10-7, 4.10)

The 95-61 Cubs are going with:

Alfonso Soriano LF

Ryan Theriot SS

Derrek Lee 1B

Aramis Ramirez 3B

Mark DeRosa RF

Reed Johnson CF

Ronny Cedeno 2B

Henry Blanco C

Carlos Zambrano RHP (14-6, 3.77)

Game time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: SNY.