As a kid growing up in Manhattan, like so many young baseball fans, Dellin Betances lived for the Subway Series. Each summer, for a few days, it seemed like the entire baseball universe centered around New York. And within the city, that meant friendly rivalries between boroughs, families and generational baseball allegiances.
"When you are a kid, you are all watching, trying for bragging rights," said Betances, the Yankees power reliever.
Now he gets to play in the series starting Monday.
In fact, the Mets and Yankees have native New Yorkers on their teams for the Subway Series. That hasn't happened since 2002, though the Mets' representative, T.J. Rivera, will miss the series because of a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Either way, Rivera, Betances and Long Island-native Steven Matz know the profound impact the Subway Series has on the city and region, every year.
The Yankees will call on Luis Cessa (0-3, 4.83 ERA) to take the mound against the Mets' Rafael Montero (1-8, 6.06 ERA). The trains should be packed, and friendly tensions should be high. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
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Here's what else to watch for throughout the day Monday (all times ET):
October rematch: CLE@BOS, 6:10 p.m.
The Indians surprised many when they swept the Red Sox in last year's American League Division Series, and the two teams appear to be on an October collision course once again. But before then, they need to make up a postponed game Monday at Fenway Park when Cleveland's Trevor Bauer (10-8, 4.79) faces Boston's Doug Fister (2-5, 5.03).
Fister went 6 1/3 in his last outing against the White Sox, giving up three earned runs while striking out seven. Bauer has been a model of consistency in this last three starts, allowing just one run while logging seven-plus innings in each of the three games.
The Red Sox and Indians meet again next week for a four-game set in Cleveland.
Bettis' long road back: ATL@COL, 8:40 p.m.
Chad Bettis never doubted he would pitch again, but the odds were stacked against him after the Rockies righty was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year. After months of chemotherapy, rehab and several setbacks, Bettis is set to make his season debut for the Rockies, punctuating an amazing story of resilience.

It will be Bettis' first Major League action since undergoing cancer surgery last November. He suffered a setback in March when it was discovered the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. And after spending much of this year recovering, Bettis returns to the mound after appearing in six Minor League games (five starts).
"To see a guy go through what he's had to go through, and to see him work his butt off, and to come from a guy that had chemotherapy and how that feels to where he is now," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "What a great story for all of us, for Chad and his family, and a lot of people who are battling cancer."
Julio Teheran (7-10, 5.25) starts for Atlanta on what should be an emotional night in Denver.
Will Giancarlo homer today? SFG@MIA, 7:10 p.m.
The Marlins slugger seems to homer every day now, so tune in to see what he does against the Giants. Giancarlo Stanton is turning in a monster second half, over which he's been one of baseball's best hitters. Stanton leads the Majors in homers (42) and slugging percentage (.635), and is on his way to his second career home run crown after tying a franchise record for homers on Sunday.

He'll take his cuts against Giants lefty Ty Blach (8-7, 4.15). Left-hander Adam Conley (4-5, 5.43) starts for Miami.

Star-studded slugfest on tap: HOU@ARI, 9:40 p.m.
This matchup features two of baseball's most high-octane teams, which could meet somewhere important down the line in October. Simply put, the Astros and D-backs mash, thanks to lineups anchored by two MVP favorites in Jose Altuve and Paul Goldschmidt. Expect a lot of runs to be scored this week in the desert.

The Astros' Collin McHugh (0-1, 5.32) faces the D-backs' Zack Greinke (13-5, 3.14), and both will have their work cut out for them.