| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 6.11 | 198105220_LAN_CIN |
| Tommy John | NYA | 4.63 | 198105220_CLE_NYA |
| Scott McGregor | BAL | 3.27 | 198105220_BAL_DET |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 3.17 | 198105210_HOU_SLN |
| Ken Forsch | ANA | 2.66 | 198105220_CHA_ANA |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Torrez | BOS | -4.65 | 198105230_BOS_MIL |
| Glenn Abbott | SEA | -4.21 | 198105210_SEA_CLE |
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -3.19 | 198105220_WAS_CHN |
| Wayne Garland | CLE | -1.53 | 198105210_SEA_CLE |
| Paul Splittorff | KCA | -1.4 | 198105230_MIN_KCA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-05-23.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.88 | Fernando Valenzuela | 87.3 | LAN |
| +003+ | 3.23 | Bob Knepper | 61.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 2.68 | Doyle Alexander | 62.3 | SFN |
| +006+ | 2.67 | Jerry Reuss | 59.7 | LAN |
| +007+ | 2.64 | Nolan Ryan | 49 | HOU |
| +009+ | 2.34 | Bert Blyleven | 63 | CLE |
| +010+ | 2.27 | Tom Seaver | 66.3 | CIN |
| +012+ | 2.16 | Len Barker | 50.3 | CLE |
| +013+ | 2.03 | Joe Niekro | 73 | HOU |
| +014+ | 1.94 | Burt Hooton | 63.7 | LAN |
| +019+ | 1.8 | Vida Blue | 54 | SFN |
| +020+ | 1.79 | Matt Keough | 71.3 | OAK |
| +021+ | 1.78 | Bryan Clark | 55.3 | SEA |
| +022+ | 1.77 | Scott Sanderson | 50 | WAS |
| +028+ | 1.68 | Steve McCatty | 67.3 | OAK |
| +029+ | 1.66 | Scott McGregor | 50 | BAL |
| +031+ | 1.6 | Brian Kingman | 56 | OAK |
| +037+ | 1.49 | Steve Carlton | 77 | PHI |
| +045+ | 1.33 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| +051+ | 1.28 | Allen Ripley | 55.3 | SFN |
| XXXXX | 1.25 | Steve Trout | 40.7 | CHA |
| XXXXX | 1.21 | Rick Rhoden | 47.7 | PIT |
| XXXXX | 1.16 | Ken Forsch | 67 | ANA |
| XXXXX | 1.06 | Rick Waits | 52.3 | CLE |
| XXXXX | 1.05 | Charlie Lea | 36 | WAS |
_