| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 5.99 | 198108130_SLN_PHI |
| Ken Forsch | ANA | 5.92 | 198108110_ANA_SEA |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 5.3 | 198108120_CIN_LAN |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 3.54 | 198108110_HOU_SFN |
| Fernando Valenzuela | LAN | 2.59 | 198108110_CIN_LAN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Gale | KCA | -3.67 | 198108130_KCA_BAL |
| Ken Clay | SEA | -3.63 | 198108120_ANA_SEA |
| Ken Kravec | CHN | -2.75 | 198108120_NYN_CHN |
| Wayne Garland | CLE | -2.04 | 198108130_MIL_CLE |
| Mike Torrez | BOS | -1.97 | 198108110_CHA_BOS |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-08-13.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.35 | Bob Knepper | 90.7 | HOU |
| +003+ | 4.07 | Nolan Ryan | 79.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 3.64 | Jerry Reuss | 86.3 | LAN |
| +009+ | 3.16 | Ken Forsch | 109 | ANA |
| +010+ | 3.07 | Fernando Valenzuela | 114.7 | LAN |
| +012+ | 2.89 | Len Barker | 90.7 | CLE |
| +013+ | 2.83 | Steve McCatty | 94.3 | OAK |
| +015+ | 2.6 | Scott Sanderson | 75.7 | WAS |
| +017+ | 2.53 | Jack Morris | 118.3 | DET |
| +027+ | 2.17 | Tom Seaver | 90.3 | CIN |
| +029+ | 2.14 | Vida Blue | 84 | SFN |
| +035+ | 1.88 | Bert Blyleven | 101.3 | CLE |
| +039+ | 1.83 | Jim Bibby | 76.3 | PIT |
| +040+ | 1.82 | Doyle Alexander | 82.7 | SFN |
| +041+ | 1.81 | Juan Eichelberger | 89.7 | SDN |
| +042+ | 1.78 | Dave Righetti | 36 | NYA |
| +045+ | 1.77 | Steve Carlton | 113 | PHI |
| +047+ | 1.7 | Steve Trout | 72.3 | CHA |
| +048+ | 1.69 | Richard Dotson | 92 | CHA |
| +057+ | 1.53 | Burt Hooton | 83.7 | LAN |
| +058+ | 1.51 | John Martin | 44.3 | SLN |
| +060+ | 1.51 | Brian Kingman | 76 | OAK |
| +061+ | 1.49 | Dennis Lamp | 45 | CHA |
| +062+ | 1.49 | Chris Welsh | 78.3 | SDN |
| +066+ | 1.48 | Joe Niekro | 101.7 | HOU |
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