| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fernando Valenzuela | LAN | 5.56 | 198105280_LAN_ATL |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 5.48 | 198105300_HOU_SFN |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 4.86 | 198105290_PIT_WAS |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 3.4 | 198105290_PIT_WAS |
| Phil Niekro | ATL | 2.83 | 198105290_ATL_SDN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -4.94 | 198105300_CHN_NYN |
| Mike Torrez | BOS | -4.01 | 198105290_MIL_BOS |
| Rich Gale | KCA | -2.23 | 198105290_KCA_MIN |
| Bruce Berenyi | CIN | -1.84 | 198105280_SFN_CIN |
| Dan Spillner | CLE | -1.81 | 198105300_NYA_CLE |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-05-30.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 3.99 | Bob Knepper | 70.7 | HOU |
| +002+ | 3.88 | Fernando Valenzuela | 91 | LAN |
| +005+ | 3.23 | Nolan Ryan | 56 | HOU |
| +006+ | 2.94 | Jerry Reuss | 66.7 | LAN |
| +007+ | 2.86 | Joe Niekro | 88 | HOU |
| +008+ | 2.67 | Vida Blue | 69.3 | SFN |
| +009+ | 2.6 | Tom Seaver | 69.3 | CIN |
| +010+ | 2.59 | Doyle Alexander | 68.3 | SFN |
| +013+ | 2.28 | Burt Hooton | 74 | LAN |
| +018+ | 2.07 | Steve McCatty | 76.3 | OAK |
| +020+ | 2.03 | Bryan Clark | 63 | SEA |
| +026+ | 1.9 | Len Barker | 56.3 | CLE |
| +029+ | 1.75 | Scott Sanderson | 61.7 | WAS |
| +030+ | 1.74 | Jack Morris | 94.3 | DET |
| +033+ | 1.64 | Steve Trout | 49.7 | CHA |
| +039+ | 1.49 | Bert Blyleven | 66.7 | CLE |
| +042+ | 1.46 | Charlie Lea | 43 | WAS |
| +045+ | 1.42 | Rick Langford | 86.3 | OAK |
| +046+ | 1.41 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| +048+ | 1.39 | Brian Kingman | 63 | OAK |
| +052+ | 1.36 | Ken Forsch | 76 | ANA |
| +058+ | 1.31 | Rick Rhoden | 63.7 | PIT |
| +059+ | 1.31 | Jim Bibby | 63.7 | PIT |
| +064+ | 1.27 | Matt Keough | 79.3 | OAK |
| +066+ | 1.26 | Pascual Perez | 26.3 | PIT |
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