2008 Chicago Cubs season

March 2026 November 2013 Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs logo.svg 2008 National League Central champions National League Central Wrigley Field Chicago 97–64 (.595) 1st Tribune Company Jim Hendry Lou Piniella CSN ChicagoWGN AmericaWGN-TVCSN Chicago Plus (CLTV)WCIU-TV (Len Kasper, Bob Brenly, Cory Provus) WGN (AM) 720 (Pat Hughes, Ron Santo, Cory Provus) chc CHC The 2008 Chicago Cubs season was the 137th season of the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 133rd in the National League and the 93rd at Wrigley Field. The season began at home on March 31 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs were champions of the National League Central for the second year in a row, accumulating 97 regular season wins—the most since 1945. It was the first time since 1908 that the Cubs made postseason appearances in consecutive seasons.Finnell Neil A Look Back at Chicago Cubs 2008: Getting Off to a Strong Start https://bleacherreport.com/articles/97845-a-look-back-at-chicago-cubs-2008-getting-off-to-a-strong-start May 11, 2014 Bleacher Report December 29, 2008 At the All-Star break in July, the Cubs led the NL Central and were tied with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the best record in the major leagues.Regular Season Standings July 14, 2008 Major League Baseball http://www.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp?ymd=20080714 Associated Press July 14, 2008 They tied a National League record with eight players selected to the All-Star team.Cubs tie record for most NL All-Stars July 13, 2008 Yahoo! Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=An8cBB1NmdXXWyEGC7Qrio8RvLYF?slug=ap-all-stars-marmol&prov=ap&type=lgns Associated Press July 14, 2008 July 2024 InternetArchiveBot yes On September 20, the Cubs clinched the NL Central championship with a 5–4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=280920116 Chicago Cubs win Central again September 21, 2008 September 20, 2008 Yahoo! Inc. Associated Press Yahoo! Sports Gano, Rick https://web.archive.org/web/20080927000016/http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=280920116 September 27, 2008 live Despite their regular season success, the team did not advance past the first round of the playoffs; they were swept 3–0 by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. Lou Piniella, in his second year as the Cubs' manager, won the National League's Manager of the Year Award in 2008. In addition, catcher Geovany Soto won the 2008 National League Rookie of the Year Award. Regular season Game log background:#0E3386;color:white; 2008 Game Log (97–64) y background:#EE1422;color:white; March: 0–1 (Home: 0–1; Away: 0–0 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || March 31 || Brewers || 4–3 (10) || Gagné (1-0) || Howry (0-1) || Riske (1) || 41,089 || 0-1 || |- y background:#EE1422;color:white; April: 17–9 (Home: 11–4; Away: 6–5 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 2 || April 2 || Brewers || 8–2 || Suppan (1-0) || Lilly (0-1) || || 39,468 || 0-2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 3 || April 3 || Brewers || 6–2 || Dempster (1-0) || Bush (0-1) || Wood (1) || 37,973 || 1-2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 4 || April 4 || Astros || 4–3 || Wright (1-0) || Lieber (0-1) || Valverde (1) || 37,812 || 1-3 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" || | 5 || April 5 || Astros || 9–7 || Hart (1-0) || Oswalt (0-2) || Wood (2) || 40,707 || 2-3 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" || | 6 || April 6 || Astros || 3–2 || Zambrano (1-0) || Villarreal (0-2) || Wood (3) || 40,929 || 3-3 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" || | 7 || April 7 || @ Pirates || 10–8 (12) || Lieber (1-1) || Meek (0-1) || Mármol (1) || 37,491 || 4-3 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" || | 8 || April 9 || @ Pirates || 6–4 (15) || Hart (2-0) || Dumatrait (0-1) || Marshall (1) || 9,735 || 5-3 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" || | 9 || April 10 || @ Pirates || 7–3 || Lieber (2-1) || Morris (0-1) || || 9,798 || 6-3 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 10 || April 11 || @ Phillies || 5–3 || Myers (1-1) || Zambrano (1-1) || Lidge (2) || 37,368 || 6-4 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 12 || @ Phillies || 7–1 || Hamels (2-1) || Lilly (0-2) || || 45,072 || 6-5 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 12 || April 13 || @ Phillies || 6–5 (10) || Wood (1-0) || Seánez (0-1) || Howry (1) || 40,095 || 7-5 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 15 || Reds || 9–5 || Dempster (2-0) || Harang (1-2) || || 39,130 || 8-5 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 14 || April 16 || Reds || 12–3 || Zambrano (2-1) || Fogg (1-2) || || 40,099 || 9-5 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 17 || Reds || 9–2 || Vólquez (2-0) || Lilly (0-3) || || 39,534 || 9-6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || April 18 || Pirates || 3–2 || Hill (1-0) || Snell (2-1) || Wood (4) || 39,118 || 10-6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || April 19 || Pirates || 13–1 || Marquis (1-0) || Gorzelanny (1-2) || || 40,298 || 11-6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 18 || April 20 || Pirates || 13–6 || Dempster (3-0) || Duke (0-1) || || 41,405 || 12-6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 19 || April 21 || Mets || 7–1 || Zambrano (3-1) || Maine (1-2) || || 40,582 || 13-6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 20 || April 22 || Mets || 8–1 || Lilly (1-3) || Figueroa (1-1) || || 40,503 || 14-6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || April 23 || @ Rockies || 7–6 (10) || Wood (2-0) || Wells (1-1) || Mármol (2) || 36,864 || 15-6 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 24 || @ Rockies || 4–2 || Cook (3-1) || Hart (2-1) || Fuentes (1) || 32,791 || 15-7 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 25 || @ Nationals || 5–3 || Rauch (2-0) || Howry (0-2) || || 35,154 || 15-8 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 24 || April 26 || @ Nationals || 7–0 || Zambrano (4-1) || Chico (0-5) || || 35,188 || 16-8 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || April 27 || @ Nationals || 2–0 || Lannan (2-2) || Lilly (1-4) || Rauch (4) || 33,795 || 16-9 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 29 || Brewers || 10–7 || Sheets (4-0) || Marquis (1-1) || Gagné (8) || 39,543 || 16-10 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 27 || April 30 || Brewers || 19–5 || Dempster (4-0) || Suppan (1-1) || || 39,908 || 17-10 || |- y background:#EE1422;color:white; May: 18–11 (Home: 14–3; Away: 4–8 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 1 || Brewers || 4–3 || Shouse (2-0) || Wood (2-1) || Gagné (9) || 40,849 || 17-11 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 29 || May 2 || @ Cardinals || 5–3 (11) || Villone (1-0) || Fox (0-1) || || 45,077 || 17-12 || April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 30 || May 3 || @ Cardinals || 9–3 || Lilly (2-4) || Lohse (3-1) || || 46,792 || 18-12 || April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 4 || @ Cardinals || 5–3 || Wellemeyer (3-1) || Marquis (1-2) || Isringhausen (10) || 44,969 || 18-13 || April 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 32 || May 5 || @ Reds || 5–3 || Cueto (2-3) || Dempster (4-1) || Cordero (5) || 20,289 || 18-14 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 6 || @ Reds || 3–0 ||Zambrano (5-1) || Harang (1-5) || Wood (5) || 21,153 || 19-14 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 34 || May 7 || @ Reds || 9–0 || Vólquez (5-1) || Lieber (2-2) || || 28,418 || 19-15 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 35 || May 9 || D-backs || 3–1 ||Lilly (3-4) || Haren (4-2) || Wood (6) || 40,236 || 20-15 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 36 || May 10 || D-backs || 7–2 || Eyre (1-0) || Qualls (0-4) || || 41,597 || 21-15 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 37 || May 11 || D-backs || 6–4 || Mármol (1-0) || Peña (0-1) || Wood (7) || 39,740 || 22-15 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 38 || May 12 || Padres || 12–3 || Zambrano (6-1) || Wolf (2-3) || || 39,528 || 23-15 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 13 || Padres || 4–3 || Estes (1-0) || Marquis (1-3) || Hoffman (7) || 40,028 || 23-16 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 40 || May 14 || Padres || 8–5 || Lilly (4-4) || Peavy (4-3) || || 39,650 || 24-16 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || May 15 || Padres || 4–0 || Dempster (5-1) || Maddux (3-4) || Wood (8) || 40,629 || 25-16 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 42 || May 16 || Pirates || 7–4 || Gallagher (1-0) || Gorzelanny (3-4) || Wood (9) || 40,537 || 26-16 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 17 || Pirates || 7–6 || Marte (3-0) || Mármol (1-1) || Capps (10) || 41,686 || 26-17 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 44 || May 18 || Pirates || 4–3 || Marquis (2-3) || Dumatrait (1-2) || Wood (10)|| 41,321 || 27-17 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 19 || @ Astros || 7–2 || Lilly (5-4) || Moehler (1-1) || || 32,458 || 28-17 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 20 || @ Astros || 4–2 || Sampson (3-3) || Dempster (5-2) || Valverde (13) || 33,339 || 28-18 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 47 || May 21 || @ Astros || 5–3 || Chacón (0-1) || Gallagher (1-1) || Valverde (14) || 33,251 || 28-19 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 48 || May 23 || @ Pirates || 12–3 || Zambrano (7-1)|| Duke (2-3) || || 32,656 || 29-19 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 24 || @ Pirates || 5–4 (14) || Grabow (4-1) || Wuertz (0-1) || || 29,929 || 29-20 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || May 25 || @ Pirates || 6–5 (11) || Marte (4-0) || Lieber (2-3) || || 29,415 || 29-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 51 || May 26 || Dodgers || 3–1 || Dempster (6-2) || Billingsley (4-6) || Wood (11) || 41,583 || 30-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 52 || May 27 || Dodgers || 3–1 || Gallagher (2-1) || Kuroda (2-4) || Wood (12) || 39,894 || 31-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 53 || May 28 || Dodgers || 2–1 (10) || Howry (1-2) || Park (1-1) || || 39,945 || 32-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 54 || May 29 || Rockies || 8–4 || Wuertz (1-1) || Herges (2-2) || || 39,851 || 33-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 55 || May 30 || Rockies || 10–9 || Eyre (2-0) || Corpas (0-3) || Wood (13) || 39,686 || 34-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 56 || May 31 || Rockies || 5–4 || Dempster (7-2) || Rusch (1-3) || Mármol (3) || 41,529 || 35-21 || |- y background:#EE1422;color:white; June: 15–12 (Home: 8–2; Away: 7–10 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 57 || June 1 || Rockies || 5–3 || Gallagher (3-1) || Jiménez (1-6) || Wood (14) || 41,730 || 36-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 58 || June 2 || @ Padres || 7–6 || Zambrano (8-1) || Baek (0-2) || Wood (15) || 30,259 || 37-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 59 || June 3 || @ Padres || 9–6 || Marquis (3-3) || Corey (1-1) || Wood (16) || 24,477 || 38-21 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 60 || June 4 || @ Padres || 2–1 || Bell (3-3) || Lilly (5-5) || Hoffman (12) || 25,258 || 38-22 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 61 || June 5 || @ Dodgers || 5–4 || Howry (2-2) || Saito (3-2) || Wood (17) || 44,988 || 39-22 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 6 || @ Dodgers || 3–0 || Kuroda (3-5) || Gallagher (3-2) || || 52,484 || 39-23 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 63 || June 7 || @ Dodgers || 7–3 || Lowe (4-5) || Zambrano (8-2) || || 50,020 || 39-24 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 64 || June 8 || @ Dodgers || 3–1 || Marquis (4-3) || Penny (5-8) || Wood (18) || 49,994 || 40-24 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 65 || June 10 || Braves || 10–5 || Lilly (6-5) || Glavine (2-3) || || 41,624 || 41-24 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 66 || June 11 || Braves || 7–2 || Dempster (8-2)|| Bennett (0-4) || || 41,497 || 42-24 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 67 || June 12 || Braves || 3–2 (11) || Wood (3-1) || Acosta (3-5) || || 41,517 || 43-24 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || June 13 || @ Blue Jays || 3–2 || Burnett (6-6) || Gallagher (3-3) || Ryan (14)|| 27,803 || 43-25 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 69 || June 14 || @ Blue Jays || 6–2 || Marquis (5-3)|| Halladay (8-6) || || 34,048 || 44-25 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 70 || June 15 || @ Blue Jays || 7–4 || Lilly (7-5) || Litsch (7-3) || || 40,738 || 45-25 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 71 || June 17 || @ Rays || 3–2 || Balfour (1-0) || Cotts (0-1) || Percival (16) || 31,607 || 45-26 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 18 || @ Rays || 5–4 || Sonnanstine (8-3) || Zambrano (8-3) || Percival (17) || 31,496 || 45-27 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 19 || @ Rays || 8–3 || Balfour (2-0) || Mármol (1-2) || || 34,441 || 45-28 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 74 || June 20 || White Sox || 4–3 || Wood (4-1) || Linebrink (2-2) || || 41,106 || 46-28 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 75 || June 21 || White Sox || 11–7 || Marquis (6-3) || Contreras (6-6) || Wood (19) || 41,021 || 47-28 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 76 || June 22 || White Sox || 7–1 || Dempster (9-2) || Vázquez (7-6) || || 41,034 || 48-28 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 24 || Orioles || 7–5 || Guthrie (4-7) || Marshall (0-1) || Sherrill (26) || 41,357 || 48-29 || |- align="center" bgcolor=bbffbb | 78 || June 25 || Orioles || 7–4 || Lilly (8-5) || Albers (3-3) || Wood (20) || 40,754 || 49-29 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 79 || June 26 || Orioles || 11–4 || Liz (2-0) || Marquis (6-4) || || 41,670 || 49-30 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 80 || June 27 || @ White Sox || 10–3 || Contreras (7-6) || Dempster (9-3) || || 39,132 || 49-31 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 81 || June 28 || @ White Sox || 6–5 || Thornton (4-1) || Mármol (1-3) || Jenks (18) || 39,143 || 49-32 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 82 || June 29 || @ White Sox || 5–1 || Buehrle (6-6) || Marshall (0-2) || || 39,573 || 49-33 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 83 || June 30 || @ Giants || 9–2 || Lilly (9-5)|| Zito (3-12) || || 35,311 || 50-33 || |- y background:#EE1422;color:white; July: 15–11 (Home: 6–4; Away: 9–7 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 1 || @ Giants || 2–1 || Cain (5-6) || Marquis (6-5) || Wilson (23)|| 33,858 || 50-34 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 85 || July 2 || @ Giants || 6–5 || Mármol (2-3) || Walker (3-4) || Wood (21) || 41,345 || 51-34 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 3 || @ Giants || 8–3 || Lincecum (10-1) || Gallagher (3-4) || || 40,511 || 51-35 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 87 || July 4 || @ Cardinals || 2–1 || Zambrano (9-3) || Looper (9-6)|| Wood (22) || 46,450 || 52-35 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 5 || @ Cardinals || 5–4 || McClellan (1-3) || Wood (4-2) || || 46,865 || 52-36 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 89 || July 6 || @ Cardinals || 7–1 || Marshall (1-2) || Wellemeyer (7-4) || || 46,752 || 53-36 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 90 || July 8 || Reds || 7–3 || Dempster (10-3) || Harang (3-11) || || 41,360 || 54-36 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 91 || July 9 || Reds || 5–1 || Zambrano (10-3) || Cueto (7-9) || Wood (23) || 41,605 || 55-36 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 10 || Reds || 12–7 || Arroyo (7-7) || Lilly (9-6) || || 41,459 || 55-37 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 93 || July 11 || Giants || 3–1 || Howry (3-2) || Walker (3-5) || Wood (24) || 41,605 || 56-37 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 94 || July 12 || Giants || 8–7 (11) || Marshall (2-2) || Wilson (0-2) || || 41,555 || 57-37 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 13 || Giants || 4–2 || Lincecum (11-2) || Dempster (10-4) || Wilson (25) || 41,574 || 57-38 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 18 || @ Astros || 2–1 || Geary (2-1) || Howry (3-3) || || 42,368 || 57-39 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 19 || @ Astros || 4–1 || Rodríguez (5-3) || Zambrano (10-4) || Valverde (25) || 43,129 || 57-40 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 98 || July 20 || @ Astros || 9–0 || Dempster (11-4) || Backe (6-10) || || 41,461 || 58-40 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 99 || July 21 || @ D-backs || 2–0 || Johnson (7-7) || Harden (5-2) || Qualls (2) || 34,627 || 58-41 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 100 || July 22 || @ D-backs || 9–2 || Petit (1-1) || Marquis (6-6) || || 35,337 || 58-42 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 101 || July 23 || @ D-backs || 10–6 || Lilly (10-6) || Davis (3-5) || || 37,301 || 59-42 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 102 || July 24 || Marlins || 6–3 || Zambrano (11-4) || Olsen (6-5) || Mármol (4) || 41,482 || 60-42 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 25 || Marlins || 3–2 || Miller (3-2) || Howry (3-4) || Gregg (21) || 41,570 || 60-43 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || July 26 || Marlins || 3–2 (12) || Miller (4-2) || Gaudin (5-4) || Gregg (22) || 41,471 || 60-44 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 105 || July 27 || Marlins || 9–6 || Gaudin (6-4) || Hendrickson (7-8) || Samardzija (1) || 41,017 || 61-44 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 106 || July 28 || @ Brewers || 6–4 || Gaudin (7-4) || Torres (5-3) || Mármol (5) || 45,311 || 62-44 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 107 || July 29 || @ Brewers || 7–1 || Zambrano (12-4) || Sheets (10-4) || || 45,069 || 63-44 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 108 || July 30 || @ Brewers || 7–2 || Dempster (12-4) || Parra (9-4) || || 44,871 || 64-44 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 109 || July 31 || @ Brewers || 11–4 || Harden (6-2) || Bush (5-9) || || 45,346 || 65-44 || |- y background:#EE1422;color:white; August: 20–8 (Home: 12–7; Away: 8–1 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 110 || August 1 || Pirates || 3–0 || Karstens (1-0) || Marquis (6-7) || Grabow (1) || 41,340 || 65-45 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 111 || August 2 || Pirates || 5–1 || Lilly (11-6) || Maholm (7-7) || || 41,426 || 66-45 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 112 || August 3 || Pirates || 8–5 || Gaudin (8-4) || Hansen (1-4) || Mármol (6) || 41,200 || 67-45 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 4 || Astros || 2–0 (8)|| Moehler (7-4) || Dempster (12-5) || Hawkins (1) || 40,867 || 67-46 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 114 || August 5 || Astros || 11–7 || Howry (4-4) || Sampson (5-4) || || 40,416 || 68-46 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 115 || August 6 || Astros || 11–4 || Marquis (7-7) || Backe (6-11) || || 41,107 || 69-46 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 116 || August 8 || Cardinals || 3–2 (11) || Howry (5-4) || Franklin (4-5) || || 41,539 || 70-46 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 117 || August 9 || Cardinals || 12–3 || Wellemeyer (9-4) || Zambrano (12-5) || || 41,436 || 70-47|| |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 118 || August 10 || Cardinals || 6–2 || Dempster (13-5) || Carpenter (0-1) || || 41,268 || 71-47 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || August 12 || @ Braves || colspan=7|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for August 13 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 119 || August 13 || @ Braves || 10–2 || Marquis (8-7) || Morton (3-6) || || 27,220 || 72-47 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 120 || August 13 || @ Braves || 8–0 || Harden (7-2) || Campillo (7-5) || || 33,714 || 73-47 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 121 || August 14 || @ Braves ||11–7 || Lilly (12-6) || Glavine (2-4) || || 36,365 || 74-47 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 122 || August 15 || @ Marlins || 6–5 || Gaudin (9-4) || Gregg (6-5) || Wood (25) || 28,163 || 75-47 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 16 || @ Marlins || 2–1 || Sánchez (2-2) || Marshall (2-3) || Gregg (27) || 39,124 || 75-48 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 124 || August 17 || @ Marlins || 9–2 || Dempster (14-5) || Pinto (2-5) || || 19,085 || 76-48 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 125 || August 19 || Reds || 5–0 || Harden (8-2) || Cueto (8-12) || || 41,208 || 77-48 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 126 || August 20 || Reds || 2–1 || Arroyo (11-10) || Lilly (12-7) || Cordero (24) || 40,509 || 77-49 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 127 || August 21 || Reds || 3–2 || Zambrano (13-5) || Fogg (2-6) || Wood (26) || 40,370 || 78-49 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 128 || August 22 || Nationals || 13–5 || Lannan (7-12) || Cotts (0-2) || || 40,513 || 78-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 129 || August 23 || Nationals || 9–2 || Dempster (15-5) || Pérez (5-10) || || 40,708 || 79-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 130 || August 24 || Nationals || 6–1 || Harden (9-2) || Bergmann (2-10) || || 40,682 || 80-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 131 || August 25 || @ Pirates || 12–3 || Lilly (13-7) || Karstens (2-3) || || 14,454 || 81-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 132 || August 26 || @ Pirates || 14–9 || Marshall (3-3) || Hansen (1-5) || || 17,929 || 82-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 133 || August 27 || @ Pirates || 2–0 || Marquis (9-7) || Duke (4-13) || Wood (27) || 15,260 || 83-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 134 || August 28 || Phillies || 6–4 || Howry (6-4) || Durbin (5-3) || Wood (28) || 40,362 || 84-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 135 || August 29 || Phillies || 3–2 || Samardzija (1-0) || Condrey (3-4) || Mármol (7) || 40,844 || 85-50 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 136 || August 30 || Phillies || 5–2 || Myers (8-10) || Lilly (13-8) || Lidge (32) || 41,511 || 85-51 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 137 || August 31 || Phillies || 5–3 || Moyer (12-7) || Marshall (3-4) || Lidge (33) || 41,544 || 85-52 || |- y background:#EE1422;color:white; September: 12–12 (Home: 4–5; Away: 8–7 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 138 || September 1 || Astros || 3–0 || Oswalt (13-9) || Marquis (9-8) || Valverde (38) || 40,670 || 85-53 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 2 || Astros || 9–7 (11) || Wright (4-3) || Wood (4-3) || Valverde (39) || 39,846 || 85-54 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 140 || September 3 || Astros || 4–0 || Wolf (9-11) || Dempster (15-6) || || 40,163 || 85-55 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 5 || @ Reds || 10–2 || Arroyo (14-10) || Lilly (13-9) || || 31,213 || 85-56 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 142 || September 6 || @ Reds || 14–9 || Marquis (10-8) || Cueto (8-13) || || 41,204 || 86-56 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 143 || September 7 || @ Reds || 4–3 || Cordero (5-4) || Wood (4-4) || || 37,540 || 86-57 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 144 || September 9 || @ Cardinals || 4–3 || Perez (3-2) || Mármol (2-4) || || 43,806 || 86-58 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 145 || September 10 || @ Cardinals || 4–3 || Lilly (14-9) || Looper (12-12) || Wood (29) || 43,955 || 87-58 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 146 || September 11 || @ Cardinals || 3–2 || Harden (9-2) || Wellemeyer (12-7) || Wood (30) || 44,155 || 88-58 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || September 12 || @ Astros || Colspan=7|Postponed (Hurricane Ike) Rescheduled for September 15 @ Milwaukee |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | -- || September 13 || @ Astros || Colspan=7|Postponed (Hurricane Ike) Rescheduled for September 29, if necessary |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 147 || September 14 || @ Astrosat Miller Park || 5–0 || Zambrano (14-5) || Wolf (10-12) || || 23,441 || 89-58 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 148 || September 15 || @ Astrosat Miller Park || 6–1 || Lilly (15-9) || Moehler (11-7) || || 15,158 || 90-58 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 149 || September 16 || Brewers || 5–4 || Dempster (16-6) || Sabathia (15-8) || Wood (31) || 40,738 || 91-58 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 17 || Brewers || 6–2 || DiFelice (1-0) || Marquis (10-9) || || 41,200 || 91-59 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 151 || September 18 || Brewers || 7–6 || Wood (5-4) || Villanueva (4-7) || || 40,678 || 92-59 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 19 || Cardinals || 12–6 || Wainwright (10-3) || Zambrano (14-6) || || 40,972 || 92-60 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 153 || September 20 || Cardinals || 5–4 || Lilly (16-9) || Piñeiro (6-7) || Wood (32) || 41,597 || 93-60 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 154 || September 21 || Cardinals || 5–1 || Dempster (17-6) || Looper (12-14) || || 40,551 || 94-60 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 155 || September 22 || @ Mets || 9–5 || Marquis (11-9) || Niese (1-1) || Wood (33) || 51,137 || 95-60 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 156 || September 23 || @ Mets || 6–2 || Santana (15-7) || Gaudin (9-5) || Ayala (9) || 50,615 || 95-61 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 157 || September 24 || @ Mets || 9–6 || Howry (7-4) || Ayala (2-10) || Wood (34) || 54,416 || 96-61 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 25 || @ Mets || 7–6 || Smith (6-3) || Hart (2-2) || || 51,174 || 96-62 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 159 || September 26 || @ Brewers || 5–1 || McClung (6-6) || Marshall (3-5) || || 44,084 || 96-63 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 160 || September 27 || @ Brewers || 7–3 || Lilly (17-9) || Sheets (13-9) || || 45,288 || 97-63 || |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 161 || September 28 || @ Brewers || 3–1 || Sabathia (17-10) || Howry (7-5) || || 45,299 || 97-64 || |- align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" | 162 || September 29 || @ Astros || Colspan=7|Cancelled due to the Astros being eliminated from playoff contention and the Cubs having already won the NL Central. |- |- style="text-align:center;" | Legend:      #cfc darkgray = Win      #fbb darkgray = Loss      #bbb darkgray = Postponement/CancellationBold = Cubs team member Season standings thumb|With the magic number at 1, fans had their "Cubs Win" flags flying in Chicago. thumb|The Cubs and fans celebrate the 2008 National League Central Division championship. A few Cubs Win flags are visible. National League Central Chicago Cubs Record vs. opponents CHC Rally songs In 2007, Ernie Banks had requested that Evanston, Illinois native Eddie Vedder write the Cubs a song, and in August 2008 Vedder recorded "All the Way", which was released on September 18, 2008.http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/custom/redhot/red-091908-redhot1,0,3750734.story Cubbie jam September 20, 2008 September 19, 2008 Metromix RedEye January 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes During the season, a new version of "Go, Cubs, Go" was recorded and released by the Manic Sewing Circle,http://www.wgntv.com/landing/?Manic-Sewing-Circle-perform-Go-Cubs-Go=1&blockID=55863&feedID=222 Manic Sewing Circle perform "Go Cubs Go" September 21, 2008 September 12, 2008 Tribune Interactive WGNTV.com April 23, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230423070615/https://wgntv.com/landing/?Manic-Sewing-Circle-perform-Go-Cubs-Go=1&blockID=55863&feedID=222 dead although the original 1984 Steve Goodman version became the official Cubs victory song.http://wgnradio.com/index.php?id=41180&task=view&option=com_content&Itemid=1 WGN Radio and Vibes Media team up to bring iconic Cubs anthem "Go Cubs Go" to mobile phones WGN Radio September 20, 2008 August 1, 2008 October 2010 H3llBot Playoffs NLDS vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 2008 National League Division Series The Chicago Cubs were eliminated from the playoffs after Los Angeles won the series, 3-0. Game 1, October 1 Wrigley Field in Chicago Los Angeles LAD 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 1 7 8 1 Chicago CHC 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 9 1 Derek Lowe (1–0) Ryan Dempster (0–1) James Loney (1), Manny Ramírez (1), Russell Martin (1) Mark DeRosa (1) 42,099 Game 2, October 2 Wrigley Field in Chicago Los Angeles LAD 0 5 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 10 12 0 Chicago CHC 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 8 4 Chad Billingsley (1–0) Carlos Zambrano (0–1) Manny Ramírez (2) 42,136 Game 3, October 4 Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Chicago CHC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 8 1 Los Angeles LAD 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 X 3 6 0 Hiroki Kuroda (1–0) Rich Harden (0–1) Jonathan Broxton (1) None None 56,000 The Cubs' Game 3 loss to the Dodgers marked the franchise's ninth consecutive post-season defeat, dating back to the 2003 NLCS. Roster 2008 Chicago Cubs Roster Pitchers 58 José Ascanio 48 Neal Cotts 46 Ryan Dempster 47 Scott Eyre 44 Chad Fox 36 Sean Gallagher 57 Chad Gaudin 37 Ángel Guzmán 40 Rich Harden 22 Kevin Hart 53 Rich Hill 62 Bob Howry 32 Jon Lieber 30 Ted Lilly 49 Carlos Mármol 21 Jason Marquis 45 Sean Marshall 63 Carmen Pignatiello 29 Jeff Samardzija 36 Randy Wells 34 Kerry Wood 43 Michael Wuertz 38 Carlos Zambrano Catchers 24 Henry Blanco 55 Koyie Hill 18 Geovany Soto Infielders  5 Ronny Cedeño  7 Mark DeRosa 17 Mike Fontenot 25 Derrek Lee 27 Casey McGehee 16 Aramis Ramírez  2 Ryan Theriot 33 Daryle Ward Outfielders 15 Jim Edmonds  1 Kosuke Fukudome  6 Micah Hoffpauir  9 Reed Johnson 19 Matt Murton  4 Eric Patterson 20 Félix Pie 12 Alfonso Soriano Manager 41 Lou Piniella Coaching Staff 59 Iván DeJesús (special asst) 28 Gerald Perry (hitting)  8 Mike Quade (third base) 50 Larry Rothschild (pitching) 39 Matt Sinatro (first base) 35 Lester Strode (bullpen)  3 Alan Trammell (bench) Player stats Batting Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBIDerrek Lee155623181.2912090Alfonso Soriano109453127.2802975Ryan Theriot149580178.307138Aramis Ramírez149554160.28927111Mark DeRosa149505144.285 2187Kosuke Fukudome150501129.2571058Geovany Soto141494141.2852386Reed Johnson109333101.303650Jim Edmonds8525064.2561949Mike Fontenot11924374.305940Ronny Cedeño9921658.269228Henry Blanco5812035.292312Daryle Ward8910222.216417Félix Pie438320.241110Micah Hoffpauir337325.34228Matt Murton194010.25006Eric Patterson13389.23717Casey McGehee9244.16705Koyie Hill10212.09501Pitcher totals16133568.203633Team totals16155881552.278184811 Pitching Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts Player W L ERA G GS SV IP R ER BB KJosé Ascanio 0 0 7.94 6 0 0 5.2 5 5 4 3Neal Cotts 0 2 4.29 50 0 0 35.2 17 17 13 43Ryan Dempster 17 6 2.96 33 33 0 206.2 75 68 76 187Scott Eyre 2 0 7.15 19 0 0 11.1 9 9 4 14Chad Fox 0 1 5.40 3 0 0 3.1 2 2 3 1Sean Gallagher 3 4 4.45 12 10 0 58.2 31 29 22 49Chad Gaudin 4 2 6.26 24 0 0 27.1 20 19 10 27Ángel Guzmán 0 0 5.59 6 1 0 9.2 6 6 4 10Rich Harden 5 1 1.77 12 12 0 71.0 15 14 30 89Kevin Hart 2 2 6.51 21 0 0 27.2 24 20 18 23Rich Hill 1 0 4.12 5 5 0 19.2 9 9 18 15Bob Howry 7 5 5.35 72 0 1 70.2 44 42 13 59Jon Lieber 2 3 4.05 26 1 0 46.2 24 21 6 27Ted Lilly 17 9 4.09 34 34 0 204.2 97 93 64 184Carlos Mármol 2 4 2.68 82 0 7 87.1 30 26 41 114Jason Marquis 11 9 4.53 29 28 0 167.0 88 84 70 91Sean Marshall 3 5 3.86 34 7 1 65.1 29 28 23 58Carmen Pignatiello 0 0 13.50 2 0 0 0.2 1 1 2 0Jeff Samardzija 1 0 2.28 26 0 1 27.2 7 7 15 25Randy Wells 0 0 0.00 3 0 0 4.1 0 0 2 1Kerry Wood 5 4 3.26 65 0 34 66.1 25 24 18 84Michael Wuertz 1 1 3.63 45 0 0 44.2 23 18 20 30Carlos Zambrano 14 6 3.91 30 30 0 188.2 88 82 72 130 Team totals 97 64 3.87 161 161 44 1450.2 669 624 548 1264 2007 post-season changes Trades November 12, 2007 To Detroit Tigers Jacque Jones To Chicago Cubs Omar Infante November 13, 2007 To Minnesota Twins Craig Monroe To Chicago Cubs Clay Rapada December 4, 2007 To Atlanta Braves Will Ohman Omar Infante To Chicago Cubs José Ascanio December 6, 2007 To Tampa Bay Rays Cash considerations To Chicago Cubs Tim Lahey January 5, 2008 To New York Mets Ángel Pagán To Chicago Cubs Ryan Meyers Corey Coles July 8, 2008 To Oakland Athletics Sean Gallagher Matt Murton Eric Patterson Josh Donaldson To Chicago Cubs Rich Harden Chad Gaudin Free agent acquisitions Player Former team Contract Terms Kosuke Fukudome Chunichi Dragons 4 years, $48 million Jon Lieber Philadelphia Phillies 1 year, $3.5 million Reed Johnson Toronto Blue Jays 1 year, $1.3 million Jim Edmonds San Diego Padres 1 year, $280,000 Players lost to free agency Player New team Jason Kendall Milwaukee Brewers Cliff Floyd Tampa Bay Rays Mark Prior San Diego Padres Steve Trachsel Baltimore Orioles Wade Miller Toronto Blue Jays Other news On November 20, 2007, John McDonough stepped down as team president to join the Chicago Blackhawks.The Official Site of The Chicago Cubs: News: McDonough steps down as president On April 23, 2008, the Chicago Cubs recorded their 10,000th victory in franchise history with a 7-6 victory in 10 innings over the Colorado Rockies. They were just the second team to complete this feat behind the San Francisco Giants. On September 14, 2008 Carlos Zambrano threw the first no-hitter for the Cubs since Milt Pappas threw his on September 2, 1972. Zambrano threw the no-hitter against the Houston Astros in a game played at Miller Park in Milwaukee. It was the first no-hitter recorded at a neutral site in baseball history. The game was moved due to the damage Hurricane Ike caused. Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Iowa Cubs Pacific Coast League Pat Listach AA Tennessee Smokies Southern League Buddy Bailey A Daytona Cubs Florida State League Jody Davis A Peoria Chiefs Midwest League Ryne Sandberg A-Short Season Boise Hawks Northwest League Tom Beyers Rookie AZL Cubs Arizona League Franklin Font LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Daytona References Chicago Cubs season at Baseball Reference Kevin Kaduk The Nail in the Coffin: Your 2008 Chicago Cubs October 6, 2008 Yahoo! Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-Nail-in-the-Coffin-Your-2008-Chicago-Cubs;_ylt=AhdXd_QRBcc8HN2zb0oeubIRvLYF?urn=mlb,112939 October 6, 2008 External links Chicago Cubs clinch NL Central (Video) Category:Chicago Cubs seasons Chicago Cubs Category:National League Central champion seasons Cub Category:2008 in Chicago