Pun of a Kind

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Second half of April has been a mixed bag of weather in the Midwest. A few days had gorgeous weather but with sub 60-degree temps. It's supposed to get to 80 degrees today, though, so maybe I'll do my crosswords outside! Cubbies continue to dominate, which is amazing - what a great vibe this team has, probably the best since '16. And I think we won something that year or something. --- 1.  Puzzle #91 answer:  I WON Correct entries:  35  - but with 53 entries and 237 solves, this is one of the lower percentages we've had lately. I'll try to go a bit easier on you for the next few puzzles! Shortest explanation: The four numeric themers: 91, 81, 61, and 89 all form different numbers when turned upside-down: in order, 16, 18, 19, 68. Take the letters in these squares, U O M I, and then turn this  upside-down as one collective entity: the phrase I W O N forms, with me using artistic license to make the "U" into an "N" instead...

PDF  /  PUZ Hello hello! Baseball updates because that's what you're here for (right??). Yankees and Red Sox look to be reclaiming some solid positioning in the AL East, while the Pirates once again surge in my NL Central (though they quieted down last season after an equally torrid start). Cubs are doing okay, but pitching needs to be addressed, especially with our starter going out for a few weeks after the first game ( lots  of pitching issues already this year). In other news, I'm spending time with my cat, doing logic problems, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Business as usual, haha. --- 1.  Puzzle #90 answer:  PERPENDICULARITY Correct entries:  35  - and even that was nudge city. An unintentional Level 5 to finish the Winter Solvestice! Shortest explanation: The four letters in the corner "L"s (N, D, U, and L) only appear once else in the grid. Move that two-by-two square so the other iteration of the letter occurs in the same position in...