MLB

ON DECK: BRAVES AT METS

Mike Hampton was the ace the last time the Mets advanced to the World Series in 2000.

Hampton left New York after one season, bolting for a big-money contract with the Colorado Rockies. Neither Hampton nor the Mets have been back to the Series since.

But when Hampton returns to Shea Stadium tonight with the Braves (7:10, SNY, WFAN), he will be taking on a team that looks like it is ready to go back to the Fall Classic.

PENNANT RACE BREAKDOWN

Hampton, who went 15-10 with a 3.12 ERA with the Mets, anticipates hearing some taunting from the Shea crowd.

“I kind of know what to expect,” he said. “They get on me a little bit, but it’s all right. I gave them everything I had for that year.

“I look forward to getting on the mound and competing against a good team. They’ve got a very talented group, and you’ve got to be on your game to beat them.”

The Amazin’s have been battering the NL weaklings to surge past the Phillies into the top spot in the NL East. They have a 1 ½ game lead over Philadelphia and are five past the fading Marlins. The Mets swept the Nationals, took three out of four in Pittsburgh, and go for another sweep tonight over the injury-riddled Braves.

Interim manager Jerry Manuel, who was Willie Randolph’s bench coach last season, knows the importance of not overlooking the weaker teams in the league.

“Regardless of the person who you are playing this time of the year, all the teams are big,” Manuel said. “What we experienced last year, we had a chance to do some damage against quote-unquote, ‘lower-echelon teams,’ but we weren’t able to get it done.”

Hampton, who will be opposed by Pedro Martinez tonight, remembers his time at Shea fondly.

“It was just everything you could want in a season,” Hampton said of 2000 when the Mets lost to the Yankees in five games in the World Series.

“We had a great team. We had a lot of good guys on that team. The whole year was fun. And it’s a great place to pitch well.”

Tonight’s Pitching Matchup:

Mets RHP Pedro Martinez (4-3, 4.96 ERA) Martinez comes into tonight’s game off three strong starts. Against the Padres and Pirates (twice), Martinez has allowed four runs in 19 1/3 innings (1.86 ERA). The Mets are 1-2 in those games.

Braves LHP Mike Hampton (2-1, 6.92 ERA) Hampton is back in 2008 after missing the past two seasons with elbow problems. the 2000 NLCS MVP is 5-7 with a 3.87 ERA against the Mets since departing the team eight years ago.

With Mets.com and Braves.com