CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians announced their presence last fall with a run to the World Series.

Now, more people are paying attention.

The Indians boast the highest local TV ratings in Major League Baseball, according to an industry source. As of May 11, the Indians averaged an 8.0 household rating on SportsTime Ohio (a reach of 120,000 Northeast Ohio homes). That rating is up 60 percent over last year's rating through the same timeframe, which marks the greatest increase among the league's 30 teams.

Here are the top four local TV ratings in the league, per Nielsen data:

1. Indians (8.0)

2. Cardinals (7.92)

3. Royals (7.55)

4. Orioles (7.53)

The Indians established a new single-game record on STO with a 19.58 household rating for the club's home opener against the White Sox on April 11. That game was simulcast on WKYC Channel 3. That topped the previous mark of 15.28, recorded on Sept. 30, 2005, when the Indians and White Sox squared off in the opener of a series that determined whether the Tribe would qualify for the postseason.

Here are the top five rated Tribe games in 2017:

1. April 11 vs. White Sox (19.58)

2. April 4 at Rangers (11.49)

3. April 3 at Rangers (10.19)

4. April 12 vs. White Sox (10.04)

5. April 5 at Rangers (9.69)

The Indians averaged an 8.45 household rating in April, an increase of 62 percent over April 2016. The Indians' ratings have dipped a bit in May, though they still represent an increase over last May. Through May 11, the Indians averaged a 6.96 rating, up 41 percent over May 2016.

Per an industry source, Indians ratings are on pace to be their highest since 2001, when the club averaged a 9.94 household rating on Fox Sports Ohio.

Last season, the Indians registered their highest ratings since 2005, and a 65 percent increase over their 2015 ratings.