Vólquez was selected to represent the National League in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. By the All-Star Break, Vólquez had a 12–3 record with a 2.29 ERA and 126 strikeouts. Vólquez finished the season with a 17–6 record and an earned run average of 3.21 in 196 innings, 8th-best in the National League. His 206 strikeouts tied for second-most in the National League with Johan Santana and Dan Haren, behind the Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, and his 9.46 K/9 rate was also second in the league behind Lincecum. Vólquez threw changeups 31.9% of the time in 2008, more than any other starter.