| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Rogers | WAS | 6.45 | 197909221_WAS_PHI |
| J.R. Richard | HOU | 6.38 | 197909210_CIN_HOU |
| Ron Guidry | NYA | 5.04 | 197909210_NYA_TOR |
| Phil Niekro | ATL | 2.84 | 197909220_SFN_ATL |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 1.45 | 197909210_CIN_HOU |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Keough | OAK | -4.8 | 197909220_KCA_OAK |
| Vida Blue | SFN | -3.94 | 197909220_SFN_ATL |
| John Denny | SLN | -3.53 | 197909221_SLN_NYN |
| Chris Knapp | ANA | -2.68 | 197909220_TEX_ANA |
| Roger Erickson | MIN | -2.65 | 197909220_MIN_MIL |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1979-09-22.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +008+ | 7.17 | J.R. Richard | 276.3 | HOU |
| +011+ | 6.56 | Ron Guidry | 224.3 | NYA |
| +014+ | 6.48 | Tommy John | 259.7 | NYA |
| +016+ | 6.38 | Joe Niekro | 254.3 | HOU |
| +021+ | 5.56 | Steve Rogers | 236.7 | WAS |
| +022+ | 5.11 | Dennis Eckersley | 238 | BOS |
| +023+ | 5.07 | Burt Hooton | 212 | LAN |
| +027+ | 4.83 | Mike Flanagan | 250.7 | BAL |
| +026+ | 4.83 | Gaylord Perry | 232.7 | SDN |
| +032+ | 4.59 | Phil Niekro | 324 | ATL |
| +039+ | 4.31 | Dan Schatzeder | 156.7 | WAS |
| +042+ | 4.17 | Rick Reuschel | 233.7 | CHN |
| +043+ | 4.15 | Bill Lee | 205.3 | WAS |
| +046+ | 4.06 | Mike Marshall | 138 | MIN |
| +050+ | 3.92 | Tom Seaver | 207 | CIN |
| +053+ | 3.87 | John Fulgham | 135.3 | SLN |
| +054+ | 3.79 | Rudy May | 89.3 | WAS |
| +055+ | 3.77 | Mike Caldwell | 221 | MIL |
| +061+ | 3.64 | Ken Forsch | 163.7 | HOU |
| +064+ | 3.54 | John Candelaria | 206.7 | PIT |
| +068+ | 3.5 | Craig Swan | 237 | NYN |
| +072+ | 3.27 | Joaquin Andujar | 191.3 | HOU |
| +074+ | 3.21 | David Palmer | 112.7 | WAS |
| +080+ | 3.14 | Jerry Koosman | 247.3 | MIN |
| +079+ | 3.14 | Jim Palmer | 150.3 | BAL |
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