| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 7.58 | 198105310_CIN_LAN |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 5.48 | 198105300_HOU_SFN |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 4.86 | 198105290_PIT_WAS |
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 4.47 | 198105310_SLN_PHI |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 3.4 | 198105290_PIT_WAS |
| 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 |
| Dan Spillner | CLE | -1.81 | 198105300_NYA_CLE |
| Mike Parrott | SEA | -1.54 | 198105300_SEA_TEX |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-05-31.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.02 | Bob Knepper | 70.7 | HOU |
| +002+ | 3.9 | Fernando Valenzuela | 91 | LAN |
| +005+ | 2.9 | Joe Niekro | 88 | HOU |
| +006+ | 2.77 | Nolan Ryan | 63 | HOU |
| +007+ | 2.75 | Jerry Reuss | 66.7 | LAN |
| +008+ | 2.69 | Vida Blue | 69.3 | SFN |
| +009+ | 2.63 | Tom Seaver | 69.3 | CIN |
| +010+ | 2.61 | Doyle Alexander | 68.3 | SFN |
| +012+ | 2.45 | Len Barker | 65.3 | CLE |
| +015+ | 2.3 | Burt Hooton | 74 | LAN |
| +020+ | 2.09 | Steve McCatty | 76.3 | OAK |
| +021+ | 2.04 | Bryan Clark | 63 | SEA |
| +027+ | 1.76 | Scott Sanderson | 61.7 | WAS |
| +028+ | 1.76 | Jack Morris | 94.3 | DET |
| +033+ | 1.62 | Steve Carlton | 92 | PHI |
| +035+ | 1.61 | Britt Burns | 72 | CHA |
| +042+ | 1.51 | Bert Blyleven | 66.7 | CLE |
| +045+ | 1.47 | Charlie Lea | 43 | WAS |
| +047+ | 1.44 | Rick Langford | 86.3 | OAK |
| +048+ | 1.43 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| +049+ | 1.41 | Brian Kingman | 63 | OAK |
| +052+ | 1.37 | Ken Forsch | 76 | ANA |
| +057+ | 1.34 | Rick Rhoden | 63.7 | PIT |
| +056+ | 1.34 | Jim Bibby | 63.7 | PIT |
| +064+ | 1.29 | Matt Keough | 79.3 | OAK |
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