A lackluster offseason followed by a mediocre start.

The hitting — or lack thereof.

The brutal spring weather.

Indians fans haven't had a bunch of reasons to get excited this season, but, in what's joining attendance talk as an annual tradition, their TV ratings again are among the best in baseball.

Prior to Thursday night's 14-7 win over the Baltimore Orioles (was it Jason Kipnis or Francisco Lindor who kicked the extra points?), the Tribe's 5.93 ratings average on SportsTime Ohio ranked third in MLB.

Considering the injuries and the poor offensive production (the Indians are 24th in runs per game, 25th in batting, 26th in OPS and 28th in slugging percentage), that's pretty darn solid.

The Tribe's first 38 broadcasts on STO were watched by an average of 83,500 households. That's continuing a trend in which the Indians' TV numbers are among the top five in the game.

The Tribe's local ratings have been in the top five for three consecutive seasons and four of the last five.

The Tribe's 6.43 ratings average in 2018 was the third-best in MLB. The year before, an 8.33 norm on STO was No. 1 in MLB. The 2016 norm, which was fifth in baseball, was similar to 2018, at 6.53.

In 2014, the Indians were also fifth, with a ratings average of 6.1. The only outlier in that five-year stretch was 2015, when the Tribe — during a season in which the club was 81-80 and finished 13.5 games back in the American League Central — had a 3.93 norm on STO.

This highest-rated broadcast this season was the home opener on April 1 against the White Sox. The simulcast with WKYC produced a rating of 15.7.

The April 20 doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves generated the second- and third-best ratings, with the nightcap (8.73) edging the opener (8.41).

And if you're looking for reasons to be optimistic, the Indians have outscored their last two opponents, the White Sox and Orioles, by a combined 23-7 count. Those wins have put the club's run differential back in the black, at +4.

Something that not many (or none) of us anticipated: The Minnesota Twins (28-15) have the second-best record in baseball, just a half-game behind the Houston Astros.

For the first time in four years, the Indians don't seem to have a firm grip on the division.

That could, and should change — assuming the bats warm up with the weather.

(Some reinforcements would also be welcomed.)

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