(UPDATED: 5:55 P.M.) ATLANTA — The Mets open the second half here tonight hoping to pick up where they left off when Oliver Perez takes on the Braves at Turner Field.

When we last left Jerry Manuel‘s club, they were rebounding from a miserable stretch to win the final two games of a home series with the Reds and enter the All-Star break on a high note.

But to keep the good feelings going, the Amazin’s will have to hope Perez can outduel Braves ace Derek Lowe in a matchup of offseason Omar Minaya free-agent targets. Minaya settled on Perez after Lowe turned down the Mets in favor of Atlanta’s $60 million offer. Perez, who is making just his second start since coming off the disabled list, is 6-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 14 career starts against the Braves. Conversely, Lowe is 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in nine career appearances against the Mets.

Here is the 42-45 Mets’ order for the 7:10 p.m. game:

Angel Pagan CF

Luis Castillo 2B

David Wright 3B

Gary Sheffield LF

Jeff Francoeur RF

Daniel Murphy 1B

Alex Cora SS

Brian Schneider C

Oliver Perez LHP (2-2, 8.78)

Perez’s numbers against the Braves’ hitters

The 43-45 Braves will counter with:

Nate McLouth CF

Martin Prado 2B

Chipper Jones 3B

Brian McCann C

Yunel Escobar SS

Garret Anderson LF

Matt Diaz RF

Casey Kotchman 1B

Derek Lowe RHP (8-7, 4.39)

Lowe’s numbers against the Mets’ hitters