| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 8.47 | 198108150_ATL_LAN |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 6.55 | 198108140_HOU_SDN |
| Ken Forsch | ANA | 5.71 | 198108160_ANA_OAK |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 5.54 | 198108150_PIT_CHN |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 4.94 | 198108140_SLN_WAS |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -2.76 | 198108150_PIT_CHN |
| Jim Beattie | SEA | -2.47 | 198108160_SEA_MIN |
| Randy Lerch | MIL | -2.35 | 198108162_MIL_TOR |
| Mike LaCoss | CIN | -2.19 | 198108142_SFN_CIN |
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -2.01 | 198108140_HOU_SDN |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-08-16.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 4.35 | Nolan Ryan | 85.7 | HOU |
| +003+ | 4.34 | Bob Knepper | 90.7 | HOU |
| +008+ | 3.29 | Jerry Reuss | 92.3 | LAN |
| +009+ | 3.15 | Steve McCatty | 104.3 | OAK |
| +010+ | 2.81 | Scott Sanderson | 83.3 | WAS |
| +017+ | 2.4 | Fernando Valenzuela | 119.3 | LAN |
| +022+ | 2.27 | Sammy Stewart | 61.7 | BAL |
| +023+ | 2.17 | Len Barker | 97.3 | CLE |
| +026+ | 2.13 | Vida Blue | 84 | SFN |
| +025+ | 2.13 | Tom Seaver | 90.3 | CIN |
| +027+ | 2.1 | Ken Forsch | 114.7 | ANA |
| +031+ | 2.09 | Dave Righetti | 42 | NYA |
| +030+ | 2.09 | Richard Dotson | 97 | CHA |
| +035+ | 2.06 | Doyle Alexander | 90.7 | SFN |
| +034+ | 2.06 | Jack Morris | 123 | DET |
| +037+ | 2.05 | Joe Niekro | 108.7 | HOU |
| +043+ | 1.84 | Jim Bibby | 82.7 | PIT |
| +046+ | 1.82 | Bert Blyleven | 108.3 | CLE |
| +048+ | 1.78 | Steve Carlton | 113 | PHI |
| +049+ | 1.75 | Rick Honeycutt | 78.3 | TEX |
| +055+ | 1.67 | Dennis Lamp | 49.7 | CHA |
| +056+ | 1.65 | Steve Trout | 74.3 | CHA |
| +064+ | 1.58 | Jim Palmer | 83.3 | BAL |
| +069+ | 1.52 | Fred Breining | 43.7 | SFN |
| +068+ | 1.52 | Burt Hooton | 83.7 | LAN |
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