(UPDATED) MILWAUKEE — The reeling Mets will be pleading for newfound stopper Fernando Nieve to live up to that role here tonight when they take on the Brewers and ex-Amazin’ Braden Looper at Miller Park. The Mets are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees at Citi Field and had just eight hits and three runs combined in that series.

A waiver-wire pickup from the Astros in spring training, Nieve has come out of nowhere to win his first three starts as a Met while compiling a 1.45 ERA. Not only that, but Nieve’s victims have been the Yankees, Rays and Cardinals — none of them slouches.

Nieve has faced the Brewers three times and won his only start against them on May 2, 2006, while with Houston.

Nieve will square off against Looper, who was 6-12 as the Mets’ closer in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Looper has four no-decisions and a loss in his five starts this month.

Here is the 37-37 Mets’ order for the 7:05 p.m. game:

Argenis Reyes SS

Daniel Murphy 1B

David Wright 3B

Gary Sheffield LF

Ryan Church Rf

Fernando Martinez CF

Brian Schneider C

Luis Castillo 2B

Fernando Nieve RHP (3-0, 1.31)

Nieve’s numbers against the Brewers’ hitters

The 40-35 Brewers will counter with:

Craig Counsell 2B

J.J. Hardy SS

Ryan Braun LF

Prince Fielder 1B

Casey McGehee 3B

Mike Cameron CF

Frank Catalanotto RF

Jason Kendall C

Braden Looper RHP (5-4, 4.16)

Looper’s numbers against the Mets’ hitters