(UPDATED) Losers of two in a row and six of their past eight, the slumping Mets will try to rebound tonight when Tim Redding takes on the Cardinals in the opener of a four-game series at Citi Field. Thanks to Philadelphia’s six-game skid, the Mets are just two games out in the NL East despite their recent woes. Even so, they will be looking for a lift from Redding in what could be his last start before heading to the bullpen.

Redding is on thin ice with John Maine and Oliver Perez potentially soon to return, and Redding hasn’t helped his cause with six up-and-down starts as Met. The right-hander is coming off a rough outing last week in Baltimore, where he gave up four runs on seven hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Redding is taking on Cardinals right-hander Todd Wellemeyer, who has also been a rollercoaster this season. Wellemeyer is just 6-6 with a 5.36 ERA overall but stands 3-1 in five starts on the road.

Here is the 34-33 Mets’ order for the 7:10 p.m. game:

Alex Cora SS

Daniel Murphy 1B

David Wright 3B

Fernando Tatis LF

Ryan Church RF

Omir Santos C

Jeremy Reed CF

Luis Castillo 2B

Tim Redding RHP (0-2, 6.27)

Redding’s numbers against the Cardinals’ hitters

The 39-31 Cardinals will counter with:

Skip Schumaker 2B

Colby Rasmus CF

Albert Pujols 1B

Ryan Ludwick RF

Rick Ankiel LF

Yadier Molina C

Khalil Greene 3B

Todd Wellemeyer RHP (6-6, 5.36)

Brendan Ryan SS

Wellemeyer’s numbers against the Mets’ hitters