| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 6.11 | 198105220_LAN_CIN |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 4.86 | 198105200_HOU_SLN |
| Tommy John | NYA | 4.63 | 198105220_CLE_NYA |
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 4.19 | 198105200_PHI_LAN |
| Scott McGregor | BAL | 3.27 | 198105220_BAL_DET |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Abbott | SEA | -4.21 | 198105210_SEA_CLE |
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -3.19 | 198105220_WAS_CHN |
| Wayne Garland | CLE | -1.53 | 198105210_SEA_CLE |
| Bob Walk | ATL | -1.49 | 198105200_ATL_PIT |
| Larry Christenson | PHI | -1.08 | 198105220_PHI_PIT |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-05-22.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.61 | Fernando Valenzuela | 79 | LAN |
| +002+ | 3.19 | Bob Knepper | 61.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 2.65 | Jerry Reuss | 59.7 | LAN |
| +006+ | 2.63 | Doyle Alexander | 62.3 | SFN |
| +007+ | 2.61 | Nolan Ryan | 49 | HOU |
| +009+ | 2.29 | Bert Blyleven | 63 | CLE |
| +010+ | 2.24 | Tom Seaver | 66.3 | CIN |
| +011+ | 2.12 | Len Barker | 50.3 | CLE |
| +014+ | 1.98 | Joe Niekro | 73 | HOU |
| +015+ | 1.92 | Burt Hooton | 63.7 | LAN |
| +020+ | 1.76 | Vida Blue | 54 | SFN |
| +022+ | 1.73 | Steve McCatty | 67.3 | OAK |
| +023+ | 1.73 | Scott Sanderson | 50 | WAS |
| +025+ | 1.64 | Brian Kingman | 56 | OAK |
| +027+ | 1.63 | Scott McGregor | 50 | BAL |
| +028+ | 1.58 | Matt Keough | 63 | OAK |
| +031+ | 1.53 | Bryan Clark | 47 | SEA |
| +034+ | 1.44 | Steve Carlton | 77 | PHI |
| +043+ | 1.31 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| XXXXX | 1.24 | Allen Ripley | 55.3 | SFN |
| XXXXX | 1.22 | Steve Trout | 40.7 | CHA |
| XXXXX | 1.17 | Rick Rhoden | 47.7 | PIT |
| XXXXX | 1.12 | Ken Forsch | 67 | ANA |
| XXXXX | 1.07 | Rick Langford | 77.3 | OAK |
| XXXXX | 1.02 | Charlie Lea | 36 | WAS |
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