| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Hume | CIN | -2.64 | 197805090_NYN_CIN |
| Paul Thormodsgard | MIN | -2.23 | 197805090_MIN_NYA |
| Jim Hunter | NYA | -1.73 | 197805090_MIN_NYA |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -1.42 | 197805100_OAK_TOR |
| Dick Ruthven | ATL | -1.14 | 197805091_WAS_ATL |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1978-05-11.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 2.47 | Ross Grimsley | 52.3 | WAS |
| +003+ | 2.46 | Rick Reuschel | 61 | CHN |
| +004+ | 2.32 | Nolan Ryan | 50 | ANA |
| +007+ | 2.18 | Bob Knepper | 53 | SFN |
| +008+ | 2.16 | Ron Guidry | 42.3 | NYA |
| +009+ | 2.08 | John Henry Johnson | 37.7 | OAK |
| +013+ | 1.91 | Steve Carlton | 50.7 | PHI |
| +018+ | 1.75 | Paul Splittorff | 54.7 | KCA |
| +022+ | 1.6 | Bob Forsch | 59 | SLN |
| +023+ | 1.58 | Gaylord Perry | 44.3 | SDN |
| +025+ | 1.55 | Ray Burris | 50.3 | CHN |
| +027+ | 1.53 | Manny Sarmiento | 28.3 | CIN |
| +029+ | 1.5 | Joaquin Andujar | 43.7 | HOU |
| +030+ | 1.49 | Dave Rozema | 32.3 | DET |
| +031+ | 1.48 | Pete Broberg | 38 | OAK |
| +032+ | 1.47 | Jim Palmer | 40.3 | BAL |
| +036+ | 1.4 | Bill Lee | 55.3 | BOS |
| +037+ | 1.39 | John Montefusco | 48.7 | SFN |
| +041+ | 1.27 | Mike Bruhert | 29.7 | NYN |
| XXXXX | 1.22 | John Denny | 52.3 | SLN |
| XXXXX | 1.17 | Mark Littell | 25.3 | SLN |
| XXXXX | 1.15 | Bob Owchinko | 37 | SDN |
| XXXXX | 1.12 | Ferguson Jenkins | 40.3 | TEX |
| XXXXX | 1.06 | Rick Rhoden | 45.7 | LAN |
| XXXXX | 1.03 | Fred Norman | 47.3 | CIN |
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