[mewalrus]

I don't play NL much but I would
Raise to $2 preflop, you have position time to take control.
If you do this he won't bet with AK, AQ, A10, KQ on the flop. All likely hands to raise depending on his stats.
This to me is as good a flop for 88 as you'll usually get if you don't hit the set. If you don't play that flop i'd fold 88 to any raise preflop.

my take