4 Bold Predictions for the Remainder of the 2015 Cubs Season

Thank god the NL Central is a weak division.

Despite being just a .500 ballclub through their first 30 games, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in second place in the division and 6.5 games behind the strongest team in baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Though they've shown some positives throughout the season, the Cubs have struggled as of late. After a winning month to begin the year, the Cubs have dropped eight of their last 11 games, all against division rivals.

The Cubs have a long ways to go if they still intend to live up to Anthony Rizzo's prediction of an NL Central championship, but they have certainly shown that they have a solid team that can compete.

Regardless of the team's recent tribulations, Cubs fans are hopelessly optimistic for the rest of 2015. Here are four bold predictions for the remainder of the 2015 season.

All statistics and standings courtesy of MLB.com.

Anthony Rizzo Will Set a Career-High for Home Runs

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Cubs All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo had a career year in 2014, hitting .286 with 32 home runs. Both were career highs for the then-24-year-old.

Rizzo is off to another hot start in 2015, hitting .330 with six home runs through 30 games. Though MLB.com projects Rizzo to hit just .275 and 28 home runs, Rizzo will actually surpass his career high in home runs in 2015. 

As of now, Rizzo is on pace to match his previous total of 32 home runs. But with Rizzo's leadership, expect him to take care and be the battery of the Cubs offense and set an example for the team's young players.

The Cubs Will Compete for a Wild Card Position

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Though it's way too early to watch the standings closely, the Cubs are only a half game out of a wild-card spot. 

Thanks to an underachieving National League, a wild-card spot may not be as difficult to reach this season. In fact, only five teams are above .500 in the National League after Sunday. 

With the front-office leadership of Theo Epstein and company, the Cubs are in a solid position to make a few moves to strengthen the bullpen and be a legitimate contender for at least a wild-card position. Combine that with some improvements on offense, and the Cubs are knocking on the door of being a winning team.

The Cubs Will Hit over 175 Home Runs in 2015

Morry Gash/Associated Press

The Cubs were second in the National League with 157 home runs in 2015, behind only the Colorado Rockies. Thanks to the additions of Kris Bryant and Miguel Montero, the Cubs have even more pop in their lineup.

The Cubs will also have the luxury of having Jorge Soler's bat in the lineup for a full season, who slugged five home runs in just 24 games in 2014.

Soler, Bryant and Rizzo all have the potential to hit at least thirty home runs in 2015. Though Bryant just hit his first big league home run on Saturday, it's obvious that he has the potential to be one of the league's most feared power hitters.

The Cubs Bullpen Will Finish with an ERA Below 3.75

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Cubs bullpen has struggled mightily in their first 30 games. The team has struggled to hold leads and has blown six saves in 12 opportunities, while posting an atrocious bullpen ERA of 4.56. Only the Miami Marlins have blown more saves in the National League with seven.

The good news is that of the four relievers who have pitched more than ten innings (Jason Motte, Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon and Zac Rosscup), only Motte has posted an ERA above 3.70. None of those four relievers have allowed opposing hitters to hit above .265.

If the Cubs can make a few moves to bolster the bullpen and find a way to improve relievers such as Phil Coke and Brian Schlitter, the team could have a quite solid bullpen.

Jason S. Parini is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs on Bleacher Report. He can be followed on Twitter.