MINNEAPOLIS -- If any Indians followers were told that C.C. Sabathia would start the season 0-3 and with a 13.50 ERA, there would have been serious concerns for the team's chances of defending its American League Central Division title.

The hitters seemed to get untracked a bit in the past week, so perhaps it's now Sabathia's turn to get it all together against the Royals.

Sabathia had what coaches called a good bullpen day in preparation for Tuesday's start, going back to the basics of working on his motion and follow-through, and trying to get back to his normal rhythm.

"He was fine this spring," said manager Eric Wedge. "But he didn't have the same command."

The skipper says once Sabathia gets full command of his fastball, his breaking ball will come around.

Pitching coach Carl Willis said "C.C. had a good workday in the bullpen," said Wedge. "It's important for him to stay with his delivery, and finish the pitches off. Everything works off his fastball. His breaking ball comes with command, and when his fastball is working, his breaking ball has more crispness."

Wedge was able to rest designated hitter Travis Hafner, shortstop Jhonny Peralta and left fielder David Dellucci at least one game each in the Minnesota series, but got the "A" lineup back together Sunday.

With Monday off, the Indians should be set for Kansas City, the last stop on their six-game road trip and the end of eight straight games against AL Central rivals.

Pitching matchup
CLE: LHP C.C. Sabathia (0-3, 13.50 ERA)
Sabathia's velocity is intact, which doesn't lead one to believe his career-high innings total from '07 has caught up to him. But his lack of command in his first four starts of '08 has been downright shocking. It's been particularly damaging in his last two outings. He allowed nine runs in 3 1/3 innings against the A's on April 11, and another nine runs in just four-plus innings against the Tigers on Wednesday. Sabathia has walked 14 batters in just 18 innings of work this season. He only walked 37 batters in 241 innings last season.

KC: RHP Gil Meche (1-2, 6.08 ERA)
Meche finally got his first victory in his fourth start on Wednesday night, beating the Angels, 3-2. Although not at his best, he was better than in his previous outing. This time, he limited the tough Angels lineup to two runs in six innings. Manager Trey Hillman though Meche was fighting himself a bit, and Meche admitted that he was pitching angry too often. With his first win in hand, Meche feels he can revert back to his old, more relaxed approach and enjoy himself as he did last season. At least that's his plan.

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Up next
• Wednesday: Indians (Fausto Carmona, 2-1, 1.96) at Royals (Brett Tomko, 1-2, 3.60), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Indians (Cliff Lee, 3-0, 0.40) at Royals (Brian Bannister, 3-1, 2.42), 8:10 p.m. ET
• Friday: Indians (Jake Westbrook, 1-2, 2.73) vs. Yankees (TBD), 7:05 p.m. ET