"This time last year, Ben Sheets was a free agent trying to come back from elbow surgery on Opening Day rather than toeing the rubber as he usually does to kick off the season.

Tonight, though, the A's top offseason acquisition is back where he belongs. Sheets will be making his seventh opening start, his first for a team besides the Brewers, and the four-time All-Star will be facing Seattle ace Felix Hernandez at the Coliseum.

"Everyone waits for Opening Night all offseason," Sheets said. "Well, I waited through one offseason, a regular season and another offseason. It's a different feeling. I'm excited. I'm ready to go."

Sheets, 31, has spent his entire career in the National League, and adjusting to the American League can be rough for many pitchers. As far as the cold and potentially damp weather tonight, he's fine with that. He has pitched on Opening Day in chilly places like Milwaukee and Chicago, plus all the hoopla is old hat to him."