| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 6.97 | 198106050_LAN_CHN |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 6.94 | 198106040_HOU_SDN |
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 5.51 | 198106050_PHI_ATL |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 4.78 | 198106030_CHN_PIT |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 3.97 | 198106050_CHA_NYA |
| 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 |
| Mike Parrott | SEA | -1.47 | 198106050_CLE_SEA |
| Dan Spillner | CLE | -1.03 | 198106040_BOS_CLE |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-06-05.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.44 | Bob Knepper | 77.7 | HOU |
| +002+ | 4.29 | Fernando Valenzuela | 100 | LAN |
| +004+ | 3.56 | Nolan Ryan | 72 | HOU |
| +007+ | 3.05 | Len Barker | 74.7 | CLE |
| +010+ | 2.68 | Tom Seaver | 69.3 | CIN |
| +011+ | 2.57 | Jerry Reuss | 71.7 | LAN |
| +012+ | 2.51 | Jack Morris | 103.3 | DET |
| +013+ | 2.47 | Steve McCatty | 85.3 | OAK |
| +015+ | 2.19 | Steve Carlton | 98 | PHI |
| +017+ | 2.18 | Vida Blue | 75.3 | SFN |
| +018+ | 2.17 | Ken Forsch | 85 | ANA |
| +019+ | 2.14 | Doyle Alexander | 72.3 | SFN |
| +024+ | 1.99 | Joe Niekro | 91.3 | HOU |
| +030+ | 1.82 | Scott Sanderson | 61.7 | WAS |
| +032+ | 1.77 | Burt Hooton | 74.7 | LAN |
| +038+ | 1.6 | Jim Bibby | 71.7 | PIT |
| +040+ | 1.58 | Brian Kingman | 72 | OAK |
| +041+ | 1.54 | Rick Langford | 94.3 | OAK |
| +042+ | 1.53 | Rick Waits | 64 | CLE |
| +050+ | 1.45 | Bert Blyleven | 75.7 | CLE |
| +055+ | 1.42 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| +061+ | 1.31 | Juan Eichelberger | 73.7 | SDN |
| +063+ | 1.3 | Dave Righetti | 23 | NYA |
| +066+ | 1.28 | Rick Rhoden | 70.3 | PIT |
| +069+ | 1.25 | Matt Keough | 88.3 | OAK |
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