| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| J.R. Richard | HOU | 6.38 | 197909210_CIN_HOU |
| Tommy John | NYA | 5.15 | 197909190_NYA_CLE |
| Dan Schatzeder | WAS | 2.82 | 197909201_WAS_NYN |
| Craig Swan | NYN | 2.27 | 197909191_WAS_NYN |
| John Fulgham | SLN | 2.16 | 197909192_CHN_SLN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ross Grimsley | WAS | -3 | 197909191_WAS_NYN |
| Moose Haas | MIL | -2.36 | 197909210_MIN_MIL |
| Paul Hartzell | MIN | -1.67 | 197909190_MIN_CHA |
| Larry Gura | KCA | -1.44 | 197909190_ANA_KCA |
| Larry McWilliams | ATL | -1.42 | 197909190_ATL_HOU |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1979-09-21.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +007+ | 7.15 | J.R. Richard | 276.3 | HOU |
| +012+ | 6.55 | Ron Guidry | 224.3 | NYA |
| +015+ | 6.47 | Tommy John | 259.7 | NYA |
| +016+ | 6.33 | Steve Rogers | 231.3 | WAS |
| +019+ | 5.84 | Joe Niekro | 246.3 | HOU |
| +022+ | 5.1 | Dennis Eckersley | 238 | BOS |
| +023+ | 5.05 | Burt Hooton | 212 | LAN |
| +025+ | 4.82 | Gaylord Perry | 232.7 | SDN |
| +026+ | 4.82 | Mike Flanagan | 250.7 | BAL |
| +039+ | 4.3 | Dan Schatzeder | 156.7 | WAS |
| +040+ | 4.16 | Rick Reuschel | 233.7 | CHN |
| +041+ | 4.15 | Bill Lee | 205.3 | WAS |
| +047+ | 3.97 | Mike Marshall | 137 | MIN |
| +048+ | 3.94 | Phil Niekro | 315 | ATL |
| +049+ | 3.89 | Tom Seaver | 207 | CIN |
| +051+ | 3.86 | John Fulgham | 135.3 | SLN |
| +055+ | 3.79 | Rudy May | 89.3 | WAS |
| +056+ | 3.76 | Mike Caldwell | 221 | MIL |
| +062+ | 3.63 | Ken Forsch | 163.7 | HOU |
| +064+ | 3.53 | John Candelaria | 206.7 | PIT |
| +068+ | 3.48 | Craig Swan | 237 | NYN |
| +072+ | 3.26 | Joaquin Andujar | 191.3 | HOU |
| +077+ | 3.17 | Jim Slaton | 205.7 | MIL |
| +079+ | 3.14 | Jim Palmer | 150.3 | BAL |
| +080+ | 3.13 | Jerry Koosman | 247.3 | MIN |
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