DENVER -- When he was told he was pitching the second game of the year for the D-backs in Cincinnati, Dan Haren realized what that meant.

"I knew how it lined up -- that if I started the second game that I'd get the home opener," Haren said.

Haren, who was acquired from the A's in an eight-player deal in December, will take the ball Monday when the D-backs kick off the home part of their schedule against the division-rival Dodgers. It will be his first career appearance at Chase Field.

"Timing-wise, it's good that he's able to open up," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said. "On the opener you always want one of your top couple of guys to do it. Everyone will be watching that day and get to see what kind of pitcher Danny Haren is."

The game is a sellout, and games against the Dodgers always seem to provide a little extra noise in the ballpark.

"I'm sure the energy will be great," Haren said. "I hear that the fans are great in Arizona and any time you get a packed stadium, it's a lot of fun."

In his first start of the year, Haren allowed three runs on four hits in six innings. All three of the runs came in the fourth inning, as he allowed a solo homer to Corey Patterson and a two-run shot to Brandon Phillips.

The weather was chilly in Cincinnati, which didn't help Haren battle the upper respiratory infection he and a number of his teammates have come down with recently. Though he's still under the weather, Haren is on antibiotics and says he'll be fine come Monday.

"I think everyone is looking forward to getting home," he said. "We kind of got teased a little bit being there for a couple of days [of Spring Training]. Then we went on the road and have been in a couple of cold places, and I think we're all looking forward to getting home."