2008 Chicago Cubs season

2008  Chicago Cubs
National League Central Champions
League	National League
Division	Central
Ballpark	Wrigley Field
City	Chicago
Record	97–64 (.595)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	Tribune Company
General managers	Jim Hendry
Managers	Lou Piniella
Television	CSN Chicago WGN America WGN-TV CSN Chicago Plus (CLTV) WCIU-TV (Len Kasper, Bob Brenly, Cory Provus)
Radio	WGN (AM) 720 (Pat Hughes, Ron Santo, Cory Provus)
Stats	ESPN.com Baseball Reference
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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. ^[1]

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. ^[2] They tied a National League record with eight players selected to the All-Star team. ^[3]

On September 20, the Cubs clinched the NL Central championship with a 5–4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. ^[4] 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. ^[1]

Regular season

Game log

2008 Game Log (97–64)
March: 0–1 (Home: 0–1; Away: 0–0 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box 1 March 31 Brewers 4–3 (10) Gagné (1-0) Howry (0-1) Riske (1) 41,089 0-1
April: 17–9 (Home: 11–4; Away: 6–5 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box 2 April 2 Brewers 8–2 Suppan (1-0) Lilly (0-1) 39,468 0-2 3 April 3 Brewers 6–2 Dempster (1-0) Bush (0-1) Wood (1) 37,973 1-2 4 April 4 Astros 4–3 Wright (1-0) Lieber (0-1) Valverde (1) 37,812 1-3 5 April 5 Astros 9–7 Hart (1-0) Oswalt (0-2) Wood (2) 40,707 2-3 6 April 6 Astros 3–2 Zambrano (1-0) Villarreal (0-2) Wood (3) 40,929 3-3 7 April 7 @ Pirates 10–8 (12) Lieber (1-1) Meek (0-1) Mármol (1) 37,491 4-3 8 April 9 @ Pirates 6–4 (15) Hart (2-0) Dumatrait (0-1) Marshall (1) 9,735 5-3 9 April 10 @ Pirates 7–3 Lieber (2-1) Morris (0-1) 9,798 6-3 10 April 11 @ Phillies 5–3 Myers (1-1) Zambrano (1-1) Lidge (2) 37,368 6-4 11 April 12 @ Phillies 7–1 Hamels (2-1) Lilly (0-2) 45,072 6-5 12 April 13 @ Phillies 6–5 (10) Wood (1-0) Seánez (0-1) Howry (1) 40,095 7-5 13 April 15 Reds 9–5 Dempster (2-0) Harang (1-2) 39,130 8-5 14 April 16 Reds 12–3 Zambrano (2-1) Fogg (1-2) 40,099 9-5 15 April 17 Reds 9–2 Vólquez (2-0) Lilly (0-3) 39,534 9-6 16 April 18 Pirates 3–2 Hill (1-0) Snell (2-1) Wood (4) 39,118 10-6 17 April 19 Pirates 13–1 Marquis (1-0) Gorzelanny (1-2) 40,298 11-6 18 April 20 Pirates 13–6 Dempster (3-0) Duke (0-1) 41,405 12-6 19 April 21 Mets 7–1 Zambrano (3-1) Maine (1-2) 40,582 13-6 20 April 22 Mets 8–1 Lilly (1-3) Figueroa (1-1) 40,503 14-6 21 April 23 @ Rockies 7–6 (10) Wood (2-0) Wells (1-1) Mármol (2) 36,864 15-6 22 April 24 @ Rockies 4–2 Cook (3-1) Hart (2-1) Fuentes (1) 32,791 15-7 23 April 25 @ Nationals 5–3 Rauch (2-0) Howry (0-2) 35,154 15-8 24 April 26 @ Nationals 7–0 Zambrano (4-1) Chico (0-5) 35,188 16-8 25 April 27 @ Nationals 2–0 Lannan (2-2) Lilly (1-4) Rauch (4) 33,795 16-9 26 April 29 Brewers 10–7 Sheets (4-0) Marquis (1-1) Gagné (8) 39,543 16-10 27 April 30 Brewers 19–5 Dempster (4-0) Suppan (1-1) 39,908 17-10
May: 18–11 (Home: 14–3; Away: 4–8 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box 28 May 1 Brewers 4–3 Shouse (2-0) Wood (2-1) Gagné (9) 40,849 17-11 29 May 2 @ Cardinals 5–3 (11) Villone (1-0) Fox (0-1) 45,077 17-12 [ permanent dead link ‍] 30 May 3 @ Cardinals 9–3 Lilly (2-4) Lohse (3-1) 46,792 18-12 [ permanent dead link ‍] 31 May 4 @ Cardinals 5–3 Wellemeyer (3-1) Marquis (1-2) Isringhausen (10) 44,969 18-13 [ permanent dead link ‍] 32 May 5 @ Reds 5–3 Cueto (2-3) Dempster (4-1) Cordero (5) 20,289 18-14 33 May 6 @ Reds 3–0 Zambrano (5-1) Harang (1-5) Wood (5) 21,153 19-14 34 May 7 @ Reds 9–0 Vólquez (5-1) Lieber (2-2) 28,418 19-15 35 May 9 D-backs 3–1 Lilly (3-4) Haren (4-2) Wood (6) 40,236 20-15 36 May 10 D-backs 7–2 Eyre (1-0) Qualls (0-4) 41,597 21-15 37 May 11 D-backs 6–4 Mármol (1-0) Peña (0-1) Wood (7) 39,740 22-15 38 May 12 Padres 12–3 Zambrano (6-1) Wolf (2-3) 39,528 23-15 39 May 13 Padres 4–3 Estes (1-0) Marquis (1-3) Hoffman (7) 40,028 23-16 40 May 14 Padres 8–5 Lilly (4-4) Peavy (4-3) 39,650 24-16 41 May 15 Padres 4–0 Dempster (5-1) Maddux (3-4) Wood (8) 40,629 25-16 42 May 16 Pirates 7–4 Gallagher (1-0) Gorzelanny (3-4) Wood (9) 40,537 26-16 43 May 17 Pirates 7–6 Marte (3-0) Mármol (1-1) Capps (10) 41,686 26-17 44 May 18 Pirates 4–3 Marquis (2-3) Dumatrait (1-2) Wood (10) 41,321 27-17 45 May 19 @ Astros 7–2 Lilly (5-4) Moehler (1-1) 32,458 28-17 46 May 20 @ Astros 4–2 Sampson (3-3) Dempster (5-2) Valverde (13) 33,339 28-18 47 May 21 @ Astros 5–3 Chacón (0-1) Gallagher (1-1) Valverde (14) 33,251 28-19 48 May 23 @ Pirates 12–3 Zambrano (7-1) Duke (2-3) 32,656 29-19 49 May 24 @ Pirates 5–4 (14) Grabow (4-1) Wuertz (0-1) 29,929 29-20 50 May 25 @ Pirates 6–5 (11) Marte (4-0) Lieber (2-3) 29,415 29-21 51 May 26 Dodgers 3–1 Dempster (6-2) Billingsley (4-6) Wood (11) 41,583 30-21 52 May 27 Dodgers 3–1 Gallagher (2-1) Kuroda (2-4) Wood (12) 39,894 31-21 53 May 28 Dodgers 2–1 (10) Howry (1-2) Park (1-1) 39,945 32-21 54 May 29 Rockies 8–4 Wuertz (1-1) Herges (2-2) 39,851 33-21 55 May 30 Rockies 10–9 Eyre (2-0) Corpas (0-3) Wood (13) 39,686 34-21 56 May 31 Rockies 5–4 Dempster (7-2) Rusch (1-3) Mármol (3) 41,529 35-21
June: 15–12 (Home: 8–2; Away: 7–10 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box 57 June 1 Rockies 5–3 Gallagher (3-1) Jiménez (1-6) Wood (14) 41,730 36-21 58 June 2 @ Padres 7–6 Zambrano (8-1) Baek (0-2) Wood (15) 30,259 37-21 59 June 3 @ Padres 9–6 Marquis (3-3) Corey (1-1) Wood (16) 24,477 38-21 60 June 4 @ Padres 2–1 Bell (3-3) Lilly (5-5) Hoffman (12) 25,258 38-22 61 June 5 @ Dodgers 5–4 Howry (2-2) Saito (3-2) Wood (17) 44,988 39-22 62 June 6 @ Dodgers 3–0 Kuroda (3-5) Gallagher (3-2) 52,484 39-23 63 June 7 @ Dodgers 7–3 Lowe (4-5) Zambrano (8-2) 50,020 39-24 64 June 8 @ Dodgers 3–1 Marquis (4-3) Penny (5-8) Wood (18) 49,994 40-24 65 June 10 Braves 10–5 Lilly (6-5) Glavine (2-3) 41,624 41-24 66 June 11 Braves 7–2 Dempster (8-2) Bennett (0-4) 41,497 42-24 67 June 12 Braves 3–2 (11) Wood (3-1) Acosta (3-5) 41,517 43-24 68 June 13 @ Blue Jays 3–2 Burnett (6-6) Gallagher (3-3) Ryan (14) 27,803 43-25 69 June 14 @ Blue Jays 6–2 Marquis (5-3) Halladay (8-6) 34,048 44-25 70 June 15 @ Blue Jays 7–4 Lilly (7-5) Litsch (7-3) 40,738 45-25 71 June 17 @ Rays 3–2 Balfour (1-0) Cotts (0-1) Percival (16) 31,607 45-26 72 June 18 @ Rays 5–4 Sonnanstine (8-3) Zambrano (8-3) Percival (17) 31,496 45-27 73 June 19 @ Rays 8–3 Balfour (2-0) Mármol (1-2) 34,441 45-28 74 June 20 White Sox 4–3 Wood (4-1) Linebrink (2-2) 41,106 46-28 75 June 21 White Sox 11–7 Marquis (6-3) Contreras (6-6) Wood (19) 41,021 47-28 76 June 22 White Sox 7–1 Dempster (9-2) Vázquez (7-6) 41,034 48-28 77 June 24 Orioles 7–5 Guthrie (4-7) Marshall (0-1) Sherrill (26) 41,357 48-29 78 June 25 Orioles 7–4 Lilly (8-5) Albers (3-3) Wood (20) 40,754 49-29 79 June 26 Orioles 11–4 Liz (2-0) Marquis (6-4) 41,670 49-30 80 June 27 @ White Sox 10–3 Contreras (7-6) Dempster (9-3) 39,132 49-31 81 June 28 @ White Sox 6–5 Thornton (4-1) Mármol (1-3) Jenks (18) 39,143 49-32 82 June 29 @ White Sox 5–1 Buehrle (6-6) Marshall (0-2) 39,573 49-33 83 June 30 @ Giants 9–2 Lilly (9-5) Zito (3-12) 35,311 50-33
July: 15–11 (Home: 6–4; Away: 9–7 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box 84 July 1 @ Giants 2–1 Cain (5-6) Marquis (6-5) Wilson (23) 33,858 50-34 85 July 2 @ Giants 6–5 Mármol (2-3) Walker (3-4) Wood (21) 41,345 51-34 86 July 3 @ Giants 8–3 Lincecum (10-1) Gallagher (3-4) 40,511 51-35 87 July 4 @ Cardinals 2–1 Zambrano (9-3) Looper (9-6) Wood (22) 46,450 52-35 88 July 5 @ Cardinals 5–4 McClellan (1-3) Wood (4-2) 46,865 52-36 89 July 6 @ Cardinals 7–1 Marshall (1-2) Wellemeyer (7-4) 46,752 53-36 90 July 8 Reds 7–3 Dempster (10-3) Harang (3-11) 41,360 54-36 91 July 9 Reds 5–1 Zambrano (10-3) Cueto (7-9) Wood (23) 41,605 55-36 92 July 10 Reds 12–7 Arroyo (7-7) Lilly (9-6) 41,459 55-37 93 July 11 Giants 3–1 Howry (3-2) Walker (3-5) Wood (24) 41,605 56-37 94 July 12 Giants 8–7 (11) Marshall (2-2) Wilson (0-2) 41,555 57-37 95 July 13 Giants 4–2 Lincecum (11-2) Dempster (10-4) Wilson (25) 41,574 57-38 96 July 18 @ Astros 2–1 Geary (2-1) Howry (3-3) 42,368 57-39 97 July 19 @ Astros 4–1 Rodríguez (5-3) Zambrano (10-4) Valverde (25) 43,129 57-40 98 July 20 @ Astros 9–0 Dempster (11-4) Backe (6-10) 41,461 58-40 99 July 21 @ D-backs 2–0 Johnson (7-7) Harden (5-2) Qualls (2) 34,627 58-41 100 July 22 @ D-backs 9–2 Petit (1-1) Marquis (6-6) 35,337 58-42 101 July 23 @ D-backs 10–6 Lilly (10-6) Davis (3-5) 37,301 59-42 102 July 24 Marlins 6–3 Zambrano (11-4) Olsen (6-5) Mármol (4) 41,482 60-42 103 July 25 Marlins 3–2 Miller (3-2) Howry (3-4) Gregg (21) 41,570 60-43 104 July 26 Marlins 3–2 (12) Miller (4-2) Gaudin (5-4) Gregg (22) 41,471 60-44 105 July 27 Marlins 9–6 Gaudin (6-4) Hendrickson (7-8) Samardzija (1) 41,017 61-44 106 July 28 @ Brewers 6–4 Gaudin (7-4) Torres (5-3) Mármol (5) 45,311 62-44 107 July 29 @ Brewers 7–1 Zambrano (12-4) Sheets (10-4) 45,069 63-44 108 July 30 @ Brewers 7–2 Dempster (12-4) Parra (9-4) 44,871 64-44 109 July 31 @ Brewers 11–4 Harden (6-2) Bush (5-9) 45,346 65-44
August: 20–8 (Home: 12–7; Away: 8–1 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box 110 August 1 Pirates 3–0 Karstens (1-0) Marquis (6-7) Grabow (1) 41,340 65-45 111 August 2 Pirates 5–1 Lilly (11-6) Maholm (7-7) 41,426 66-45 112 August 3 Pirates 8–5 Gaudin (8-4) Hansen (1-4) Mármol (6) 41,200 67-45 113 August 4 Astros 2–0 (8) Moehler (7-4) Dempster (12-5) Hawkins (1) 40,867 67-46 114 August 5 Astros 11–7 Howry (4-4) Sampson (5-4) 40,416 68-46 115 August 6 Astros 11–4 Marquis (7-7) Backe (6-11) 41,107 69-46 116 August 8 Cardinals 3–2 (11) Howry (5-4) Franklin (4-5) 41,539 70-46 117 August 9 Cardinals 12–3 Wellemeyer (9-4) Zambrano (12-5) 41,436 70-47 118 August 10 Cardinals 6–2 Dempster (13-5) Carpenter (0-1) 41,268 71-47 -- August 12 @ Braves Postponed (rain)Rescheduled for August 13 119 August 13 @ Braves 10–2 Marquis (8-7) Morton (3-6) 27,220 72-47 120 August 13 @ Braves 8–0 Harden (7-2) Campillo (7-5) 33,714 73-47 121 August 14 @ Braves 11–7 Lilly (12-6) Glavine (2-4) 36,365 74-47 122 August 15 @ Marlins 6–5 Gaudin (9-4) Gregg (6-5) Wood (25) 28,163 75-47 123 August 16 @ Marlins 2–1 Sánchez (2-2) Marshall (2-3) Gregg (27) 39,124 75-48 124 August 17 @ Marlins 9–2 Dempster (14-5) Pinto (2-5) 19,085 76-48 125 August 19 Reds 5–0 Harden (8-2) Cueto (8-12) 41,208 77-48 126 August 20 Reds 2–1 Arroyo (11-10) Lilly (12-7) Cordero (24) 40,509 77-49 127 August 21 Reds 3–2 Zambrano (13-5) Fogg (2-6) Wood (26) 40,370 78-49 128 August 22 Nationals 13–5 Lannan (7-12) Cotts (0-2) 40,513 78-50 129 August 23 Nationals 9–2 Dempster (15-5) Pérez (5-10) 40,708 79-50 130 August 24 Nationals 6–1 Harden (9-2) Bergmann (2-10) 40,682 80-50 131 August 25 @ Pirates 12–3 Lilly (13-7) Karstens (2-3) 14,454 81-50 132 August 26 @ Pirates 14–9 Marshall (3-3) Hansen (1-5) 17,929 82-50 133 August 27 @ Pirates 2–0 Marquis (9-7) Duke (4-13) Wood (27) 15,260 83-50 134 August 28 Phillies 6–4 Howry (6-4) Durbin (5-3) Wood (28) 40,362 84-50 135 August 29 Phillies 3–2 Samardzija (1-0) Condrey (3-4) Mármol (7) 40,844 85-50 136 August 30 Phillies 5–2 Myers (8-10) Lilly (13-8) Lidge (32) 41,511 85-51 137 August 31 Phillies 5–3 Moyer (12-7) Marshall (3-4) Lidge (33) 41,544 85-52
September: 12–12 (Home: 4–5; Away: 8–7 ) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Box 138 September 1 Astros 3–0 Oswalt (13-9) Marquis (9-8) Valverde (38) 40,670 85-53 139 September 2 Astros 9–7 (11) Wright (4-3) Wood (4-3) Valverde (39) 39,846 85-54 140 September 3 Astros 4–0 Wolf (9-11) Dempster (15-6) 40,163 85-55 141 September 5 @ Reds 10–2 Arroyo (14-10) Lilly (13-9) 31,213 85-56 142 September 6 @ Reds 14–9 Marquis (10-8) Cueto (8-13) 41,204 86-56 143 September 7 @ Reds 4–3 Cordero (5-4) Wood (4-4) 37,540 86-57 144 September 9 @ Cardinals 4–3 Perez (3-2) Mármol (2-4) 43,806 86-58 145 September 10 @ Cardinals 4–3 Lilly (14-9) Looper (12-12) Wood (29) 43,955 87-58 146 September 11 @ Cardinals 3–2 Harden (9-2) Wellemeyer (12-7) Wood (30) 44,155 88-58 -- September 12 @ Astros Postponed (Hurricane Ike)Rescheduled for September 15 @ Milwaukee -- September 13 @ Astros Postponed (Hurricane Ike)Rescheduled for September 29, if necessary 147 September 14 @ Astros at Miller Park 5–0 Zambrano (14-5) Wolf (10-12) 23,441 89-58 148 September 15 @ Astros at Miller Park 6–1 Lilly (15-9) Moehler (11-7) 15,158 90-58 149 September 16 Brewers 5–4 Dempster (16-6) Sabathia (15-8) Wood (31) 40,738 91-58 150 September 17 Brewers 6–2 DiFelice (1-0) Marquis (10-9) 41,200 91-59 151 September 18 Brewers 7–6 Wood (5-4) Villanueva (4-7) 40,678 92-59 152 September 19 Cardinals 12–6 Wainwright (10-3) Zambrano (14-6) 40,972 92-60 153 September 20 Cardinals 5–4 Lilly (16-9) Piñeiro (6-7) Wood (32) 41,597 93-60 154 September 21 Cardinals 5–1 Dempster (17-6) Looper (12-14) 40,551 94-60 155 September 22 @ Mets 9–5 Marquis (11-9) Niese (1-1) Wood (33) 51,137 95-60 156 September 23 @ Mets 6–2 Santana (15-7) Gaudin (9-5) Ayala (9) 50,615 95-61 157 September 24 @ Mets 9–6 Howry (7-4) Ayala (2-10) Wood (34) 54,416 96-61 158 September 25 @ Mets 7–6 Smith (6-3) Hart (2-2) 51,174 96-62 159 September 26 @ Brewers 5–1 McClung (6-6) Marshall (3-5) 44,084 96-63 160 September 27 @ Brewers 7–3 Lilly (17-9) Sheets (13-9) 45,288 97-63 161 September 28 @ Brewers 3–1 Sabathia (17-10) Howry (7-5) 45,299 97-64 162 September 29 @ Astros Cancelled due to the Astros being eliminated from playoff contention and the Cubs having already won the NL Central.
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement/Cancellation Bold = Cubs team member

Season standings

With the magic number at 1, fans had their "Cubs Win" flags flying in Chicago.

The Cubs and fans celebrate the 2008 National League Central Division championship. A few Cubs Win flags are visible.

National League Central

• v
• t
• e

NL Central

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Chicago Cubs	97	64	.602	—	55‍–‍26	42‍–‍38
Milwaukee Brewers	90	72	.556	7½	49‍–‍32	41‍–‍40
Houston Astros	86	75	.534	11	47‍–‍33	39‍–‍42
St. Louis Cardinals	86	76	.531	11½	46‍–‍35	40‍–‍41
Cincinnati Reds	74	88	.457	23½	43‍–‍38	31‍–‍50
Pittsburgh Pirates	67	95	.414	30½	39‍–‍42	28‍–‍53

Record vs. opponents

2008 National League record v t e Source:
Team	AZ	ATL	CHC	CIN	COL	FLA	HOU	LAD	MIL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL	WSH	AL
Arizona	–	3–5	2–4	2–4	15–3	2–7	4–2	8–10	2–5	3–3	3–4	4–3	10–8	11–7	3–4	4–2	6–9
Atlanta	5–3	–	0–6	3–3	4–3	10–8	3–3	4–2	3–6	11–7	4–14	2–5	5–1	2–5	2–5	6–12	8–7
Chicago	4–2	6–0	–	8–7	5–1	4–3	8–9	5–2	9–7	4–2	3–4	14–4	5–2	4–3	9–6	3–3	6–9
Cincinnati	4–2	3–3	7–8	–	1–5	6–2	3–12	1–7	10–8	3–4	3–5	6–9	4–3	5–1	5–10	4–3	9–6
Colorado	3–15	3–4	1–5	5–1	–	5–3	3–3	8–10	4–3	3–6	0–5	5–2	9–9	11–7	3–4	4–3	7–8
Florida	7–2	8–10	3–4	2–6	3–5	–	4–2	3–4	5–1	8–10	10–8	3–2	4–2	3–3	2–5	14–3	5–10
Houston	2–4	3–3	9–8	12–3	3–3	2–4	–	4–3	7–8	5–2	3–4	8–8	3–3	7–1	7–8	4–2	7–11
Los Angeles	10–8	2–4	2–5	7–1	10–8	4–3	3–4	–	4–2	3–4	4–4	5–2	11–7	9–9	2–4	3–3	5–10
Milwaukee	5–2	6–3	7–9	8–10	3–4	1–5	8–7	2–4	–	2–4	1–5	14–1	4–3	6–0	10–5	6–2	7–8
New York	3–3	7–11	2–4	4–3	6–3	10–8	2–5	4–3	4–2	–	11–7	4–3	2–5	5–1	4–3	12–6	9–6
Philadelphia	4–3	14–4	4–3	5–3	5–0	8–10	4–3	4–4	5–1	7–11	–	4–2	4–2	3–3	5–4	12–6	4–11
Pittsburgh	3–4	5–2	4–14	9–6	2–5	2–3	8–8	2–5	1–14	3–4	2–4	–	3–4	4–2	10–7	3–4	6–9
San Diego	8–10	1–5	2–5	3–4	9–9	2–4	3–3	7–11	3–4	5–2	2–4	4–3	–	5–13	1–6	5–1	3–15
San Francisco	7–11	5–2	3–4	1–5	7–11	3–3	1–7	9–9	0–6	1–5	3–3	2–4	13–5	–	4–3	7–0	6–12
St. Louis	4–3	5–2	6–9	10–5	4–3	5–2	8–7	4–2	5–10	3–4	4–5	7–10	6–1	3–4	–	5–1	7–8
Washington	2–4	12–6	3–3	3–4	3–4	3–14	2–4	3–3	2–6	6–12	6–12	4–3	1–5	0–7	1–5	–	8–10

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. ^[5] During the season, a new version of "Go, Cubs, Go" was recorded and released by the Manic Sewing Circle, ^[6] although the original 1984 Steve Goodman version became the official Cubs victory song. ^[7]

Playoffs

NLDS vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Main article: 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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	4	0	1	1	1	7	8	1
Chicago	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	9	1
WP: Derek Lowe (1–0)   LP: Ryan Dempster (0–1) Home runs: LAD: James Loney (1), Manny Ramírez (1), Russell Martin (1) CHC: Mark DeRosa (1) Attendance: 42,099

Game 2, October 2

Wrigley Field in Chicago

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	5	0	0	1	0	1	2	1	10	12	0
Chicago	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	3	8	4
WP: Chad Billingsley (1–0)   LP: Carlos Zambrano (0–1) Home runs: LAD: Manny Ramírez (2) CHC: None Attendance: 42,136

Game 3, October 4

Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	8	1
Los Angeles	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	X	3	6	0
WP: Hiroki Kuroda (1–0)   LP: Rich Harden (0–1)   Sv: Jonathan Broxton (1) Home runs: CHC: None LAD: None Attendance: 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	RBI
Derrek Lee	155	623	181	.291	20	90
Alfonso Soriano	109	453	127	.280	29	75
Ryan Theriot	149	580	178	.307	1	38
Aramis Ramírez	149	554	160	.289	27	111
Mark DeRosa	149	505	144	.285	21	87
Kosuke Fukudome	150	501	129	.257	10	58
Geovany Soto	141	494	141	.285	23	86
Reed Johnson	109	333	101	.303	6	50
Jim Edmonds	85	250	64	.256	19	49
Mike Fontenot	119	243	74	.305	9	40
Ronny Cedeño	99	216	58	.269	2	28
Henry Blanco	58	120	35	.292	3	12
Daryle Ward	89	102	22	.216	4	17
Félix Pie	43	83	20	.241	1	10
Micah Hoffpauir	33	73	25	.342	2	8
Matt Murton	19	40	10	.250	0	6
Eric Patterson	13	38	9	.237	1	7
Casey McGehee	9	24	4	.167	0	5
Koyie Hill	10	21	2	.095	0	1
Pitcher Totals	161	335	68	.203	6	33
Team Totals	161	5588	1552	.278	184	811

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	K
José Ascanio	0	0	7.94	6	0	0	5.2	5	5	4	3
Neal Cotts	0	2	4.29	50	0	0	35.2	17	17	13	43
Ryan Dempster	17	6	2.96	33	33	0	206.2	75	68	76	187
Scott Eyre	2	0	7.15	19	0	0	11.1	9	9	4	14
Chad Fox	0	1	5.40	3	0	0	3.1	2	2	3	1
Sean Gallagher	3	4	4.45	12	10	0	58.2	31	29	22	49
Chad Gaudin	4	2	6.26	24	0	0	27.1	20	19	10	27
Ángel Guzmán	0	0	5.59	6	1	0	9.2	6	6	4	10
Rich Harden	5	1	1.77	12	12	0	71.0	15	14	30	89
Kevin Hart	2	2	6.51	21	0	0	27.2	24	20	18	23
Rich Hill	1	0	4.12	5	5	0	19.2	9	9	18	15
Bob Howry	7	5	5.35	72	0	1	70.2	44	42	13	59
Jon Lieber	2	3	4.05	26	1	0	46.2	24	21	6	27
Ted Lilly	17	9	4.09	34	34	0	204.2	97	93	64	184
Carlos Mármol	2	4	2.68	82	0	7	87.1	30	26	41	114
Jason Marquis	11	9	4.53	29	28	0	167.0	88	84	70	91
Sean Marshall	3	5	3.86	34	7	1	65.1	29	28	23	58
Carmen Pignatiello	0	0	13.50	2	0	0	0.2	1	1	2	0
Jeff Samardzija	1	0	2.28	26	0	1	27.2	7	7	15	25
Randy Wells	0	0	0.00	3	0	0	4.1	0	0	2	1
Kerry Wood	5	4	3.26	65	0	34	66.1	25	24	18	84
Michael Wuertz	1	1	3.63	45	0	0	44.2	23	18	20	30
Carlos 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. ^[8]
• 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

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
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
• Kaduk, Kevin (October 6, 2008). "The Nail in the Coffin: Your 2008 Chicago Cubs". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved October 6, 2008.

1. Finnell, Neil (December 29, 2008). "A Look Back at Chicago Cubs 2008: Getting Off to a Strong Start". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
2. "Regular Season Standings". Major League Baseball. Associated Press. July 14, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
3. "Cubs tie record for most NL All-Stars". Yahoo! Sports. Associated Press. July 13, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
4. Gano, Rick (September 20, 2008). "Chicago Cubs win Central again". Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Inc. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2008.
5. "Cubbie jam". RedEye . Metromix. September 19, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
6. "Manic Sewing Circle perform "Go Cubs Go"". WGNTV.com . Tribune Interactive. September 12, 2008. Retrieved September 21, 2008.^{[ dead link ‍]}
7. "WGN Radio and Vibes Media team up to bring iconic Cubs anthem "Go Cubs Go" to mobile phones". WGN Radio . August 1, 2008. Retrieved September 20, 2008.^{[ dead link ‍]}
8. The Official Site of The Chicago Cubs: News: McDonough steps down as president

External links

• Chicago Cubs clinch NL Central (Video)