| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.21 | 198105170_NYN_LAN |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 3.51 | 198105150_CHN_HOU |
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 3.5 | 198105150_PHI_SDN |
| Gaylord Perry | ATL | 2.84 | 198105170_SLN_ATL |
| Larry Gura | KCA | 2.3 | 198105160_KCA_BOS |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -2.9 | 198105160_PHI_SDN |
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -2.48 | 198105170_CHN_HOU |
| Mike LaCoss | CIN | -1.77 | 198105160_CIN_PIT |
| Rich Gale | KCA | -1.73 | 198105150_KCA_BOS |
| Larry Christenson | PHI | -1.61 | 198105160_PHI_SDN |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-05-17.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.89 | Fernando Valenzuela | 72 | LAN |
| +002+ | 2.94 | Bob Knepper | 53 | HOU |
| +004+ | 2.44 | Doyle Alexander | 54.3 | SFN |
| +005+ | 2.33 | Nolan Ryan | 42.7 | HOU |
| +006+ | 2.25 | Jerry Reuss | 52 | LAN |
| +008+ | 2.14 | Bert Blyleven | 54 | CLE |
| +010+ | 2.13 | Steve McCatty | 60.7 | OAK |
| +011+ | 2.07 | Bryan Clark | 41.3 | SEA |
| +013+ | 1.98 | Len Barker | 41.3 | CLE |
| +015+ | 1.84 | Joe Niekro | 63 | HOU |
| +017+ | 1.81 | Tom Seaver | 61.3 | CIN |
| +018+ | 1.79 | Vida Blue | 54 | SFN |
| +019+ | 1.78 | Burt Hooton | 56.7 | LAN |
| +020+ | 1.67 | Matt Keough | 55 | OAK |
| +023+ | 1.53 | Brian Kingman | 48 | OAK |
| +027+ | 1.46 | Phil Niekro | 44 | ATL |
| +030+ | 1.43 | Geoff Zahn | 61.3 | ANA |
| +036+ | 1.28 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| +038+ | 1.28 | Scott Sanderson | 42.3 | WAS |
| XXXXX | 1.08 | Ken Forsch | 59.7 | ANA |
| XXXXX | 1.03 | Steve Trout | 33.7 | CHA |
| XXXXX | 1.01 | Rudy May | 60.7 | NYA |
| XXXXX | 0.97 | Doug Bird | 27 | NYA |
| XXXXX | 0.94 | Mario Soto | 58.3 | CIN |
| XXXXX | 0.93 | Rick Waits | 44 | CLE |
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