| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 6.94 | 198106040_HOU_SDN |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 4.78 | 198106030_CHN_PIT |
| Burt Hooton | LAN | 3.96 | 198106030_ATL_LAN |
| Phil Niekro | ATL | 3.64 | 198106030_ATL_LAN |
| Bert Blyleven | CLE | 1.55 | 198106020_BOS_CLE |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -3.87 | 198106040_CHN_PIT |
| Mike Torrez | BOS | -3.17 | 198106040_BOS_CLE |
| Rich Gale | KCA | -1.66 | 198106030_SEA_KCA |
| Floyd Bannister | SEA | -1.22 | 198106020_SEA_KCA |
| Dan Spillner | CLE | -1.03 | 198106040_BOS_CLE |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-06-04.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.45 | Bob Knepper | 77.7 | HOU |
| +002+ | 4.28 | Fernando Valenzuela | 100 | LAN |
| +006+ | 2.84 | Nolan Ryan | 63 | HOU |
| +008+ | 2.79 | Jerry Reuss | 66.7 | LAN |
| +009+ | 2.7 | Tom Seaver | 69.3 | CIN |
| +010+ | 2.5 | Len Barker | 65.3 | CLE |
| +012+ | 2.49 | Steve McCatty | 85.3 | OAK |
| +015+ | 2.19 | Ken Forsch | 85 | ANA |
| +016+ | 2.19 | Vida Blue | 75.3 | SFN |
| +017+ | 2.15 | Doyle Alexander | 72.3 | SFN |
| +021+ | 2 | Joe Niekro | 91.3 | HOU |
| +027+ | 1.82 | Scott Sanderson | 61.7 | WAS |
| +029+ | 1.77 | Burt Hooton | 74.7 | LAN |
| +030+ | 1.76 | Jack Morris | 94.3 | DET |
| +035+ | 1.69 | Steve Carlton | 92 | PHI |
| +037+ | 1.66 | Britt Burns | 72 | CHA |
| +040+ | 1.61 | Jim Bibby | 71.7 | PIT |
| +041+ | 1.59 | Brian Kingman | 72 | OAK |
| +043+ | 1.56 | Rick Langford | 94.3 | OAK |
| +044+ | 1.55 | Rick Waits | 64 | CLE |
| +049+ | 1.47 | Bert Blyleven | 75.7 | CLE |
| +051+ | 1.45 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| +060+ | 1.36 | Matt Keough | 79.3 | OAK |
| +063+ | 1.32 | Dave Righetti | 23 | NYA |
| +064+ | 1.29 | Rick Rhoden | 70.3 | PIT |
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