New York ? OK, the New York Mets got past Chris Carpenter and took the NL championship series to Game 7.

Now they’re handing the ball to Oliver Perez. On only three days’ rest, no less.

An erratic lefty who was demoted to the minors this season, Perez will start tonight against St. Louis right-hander Jeff Suppan in a game that will decide who goes to the World Series.

“Oliver Perez is pitching, and because I like him,” Mets manager Willie Randolph said Wednesday night after New York’s 4-2 victory. “He’s done a nice job for us since he’s been here.”

The Mets had a few choices for Game 7 from their injury-depleted pitching staff. None was real enticing, though. They sure would like to have a healthy Pedro Martinez or Orlando Hernandez right about now.

The Cardinals, on the other hand, are all set up with Suppan, who allowed just three hits in eight shutout innings in Game 3. And he’s on full rest.

“Game 7 starts right now,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. “They are getting ready to have the experience of a lifetime if you’re in professional sports.

“It’s an experience you’ll never forget. It will be one of the most enjoyable things, especially if you do it right as far as getting ready and doing the best that you can. You’ll never forget it. I’d prefer our club to not go through it, obviously, but it’s magical. So I’m sure we’ll be ready,” he added.

Besides Perez, the other options for the Mets were Steve Trachsel or long man Darren Oliver.

Trachsel would have been on his regular turn today, but he was knocked out of Game 3 with a bruised thigh after getting hit by Preston Wilson’s comebacker – and he has a 14.54 earned-run average in two playoff starts covering only 41â3 innings.

Oliver pitched brilliantly in relief of Trachsel, throwing six scoreless innings of three-hit ball. But the left-hander hasn’t made a major-league start since 2004 with Houston.