Perhaps the Mets need to return to where it all started to fall apart to put it back together. Maybe Yankee Stadium can turn the Mets into something that resembles the 2000 NL Champions.

The last time the Mets looked like champs was Oct. 21. It was Game 1 of the World Series. Al Leiter against Andy Pettitte, which is tonight’s matchup.

So the Mets will re-visit the site of Timo Perez’ slow steps and Armando Benitez’ blown save, trying not to think of what happened then and this season, but what still could happen now.

“I like playing the Yankees,” GM Steve Phillips said. “I think it’s good for baseball and New York baseball fans. I enjoy that aspect and I would enjoy it better if we could take, at least, two-out-of-three.”

The first Subway Series was supposed to be a chance to turn the Mets’ season around. But instead, it turned out to be another could be, might be, nope 2001 Met moment.

But this weekend has to be more about memories and fun than turning the season around. The Mets won just one game against the Yankees at Shea.

It was dramatic. Down 7-2 in the eighth, Mike Piazza’s two-run homer capped a memorable six-run inning.

Met fans, who have been tortured enough this year, avoided the agony of hearing their Yankee brethren bring up the first Subway Sweep.

That was averted and now the Mets, with little chance to make a playoff run this year, can at least give their fans some memories. Maybe take two-of-three at the Stadium or provide the first Subway Sweep themselves.

The Mets get more into the Subway Series than the Yankees seem to, but even some of them would like the series cut in half.

“I would prefer just playing three games instead of six, that’s for sure, but I understand how good it is for the city and both organizations, because they are sellouts. But we have to play them six times, I think everyone else in our division should have to play them six times,” team captain John Franco said.

Leiter goes to the mound tonight and he can concern himself only with the Yankees, while he hopes for more runs.

Leiter threw very well last month, even though he was 2-4. Over six starts and 391/3 innings, he pitched to a 2.52 ERA. But he received no or little run support. In his last five starts, the Mets scored 2.8 runs per game.

Leiter received the World Series Game 1 start over Mike Hampton and pitched well, going seven innings and giving up just two runs, both earned.

Leiter won’t say it, but he and the Mets’ pitchers are tired of pitching well, but having no wins to show for it.