| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Rogers | WAS | 8.88 | 197908220_WAS_CIN |
| Tommy John | NYA | 6.14 | 197908210_NYA_KCA |
| Nolan Ryan | ANA | 3.02 | 197908220_CLE_ANA |
| Mike LaCoss | CIN | 2.87 | 197908220_WAS_CIN |
| J.R. Richard | HOU | 2.4 | 197908220_HOU_NYN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Paxton | CLE | -5.39 | 197908210_CLE_ANA |
| Phil Huffman | TOR | -4.44 | 197908210_TOR_SEA |
| Moose Haas | MIL | -2.49 | 197908220_CHA_MIL |
| Charlie Hough | LAN | -1.54 | 197908220_LAN_CHN |
| Milt Wilcox | DET | -1.04 | 197908220_DET_OAK |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1979-08-23.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +006+ | 6.1 | Dennis Eckersley | 206.3 | BOS |
| +008+ | 5.98 | Ron Guidry | 177.3 | NYA |
| +011+ | 5.68 | Steve Rogers | 197.3 | WAS |
| +012+ | 5.58 | Tommy John | 211 | NYA |
| +014+ | 5.32 | Burt Hooton | 198.3 | LAN |
| +016+ | 5.09 | Mike LaCoss | 178.7 | CIN |
| +017+ | 4.91 | Joe Niekro | 206 | HOU |
| +019+ | 4.69 | Joaquin Andujar | 168 | HOU |
| +026+ | 4.42 | J.R. Richard | 225.3 | HOU |
| +039+ | 3.89 | Mike Marshall | 118 | MIN |
| +041+ | 3.79 | Bob Shirley | 155.3 | SDN |
| +043+ | 3.75 | Mike Flanagan | 201.7 | BAL |
| +044+ | 3.73 | Gaylord Perry | 208 | SDN |
| +048+ | 3.57 | Jim Slaton | 176.3 | MIL |
| +049+ | 3.57 | Craig Swan | 204 | NYN |
| +054+ | 3.38 | Tom Seaver | 165 | CIN |
| +057+ | 3.28 | Nolan Ryan | 168 | ANA |
| +059+ | 3.13 | Dan Schatzeder | 125.3 | WAS |
| +062+ | 2.98 | Bill Lee | 164 | WAS |
| +067+ | 2.81 | Jerry Koosman | 201.3 | MIN |
| +070+ | 2.73 | Mike Caldwell | 183 | MIL |
| +078+ | 2.52 | Phil Niekro | 258 | ATL |
| +089+ | 2.39 | Nino Espinosa | 173 | PHI |
| +091+ | 2.36 | Ken Forsch | 134.3 | HOU |
| +097+ | 2.31 | Jim Bibby | 95 | PIT |
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