There are nearly 12,000 sports pundits in America, and not a single one of them has claimed this weekend’s Cubs-Red Sox matchup might be a prelude to a World Series battle at the end of the season.

“It’s more likely that Aramis Ramirez will steal 10 bases this year,” said ESPN Radio’s Mike Golic. “I also think we could see Reed Johnson win the MVP award or Soriano hustle out a grounder before the Cubs and Red Sox square off for a title.”

Insane FOX announcer Tim McCarver agreed.

“Normally, I’d spend about 10 minutes explaining how anything is possible, using circular logic to expound on a point that could easily have been made in three seconds, but I just don’t see this one happening,” said McCarver. “I’ll probably be doing the Mets-Yankees game, but I still plan to talk about the Cubs’ lack of a championship ad nausea all weekend long.”

Even the nation’s most optimistic Cubs fan couldn’t bring himself to predict a World Series featuring Chicago and Boston.

“Do I love the Cubs with all my heart?” asked Chicago Tribune Live host Dave Kaplan. “Yes. Yes, I do. I just don’t … I mean could it happen in October … I … My good friendJim Hendry is amazing. I’ll just say that.”

Heckler George