| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 8.47 | 198108150_ATL_LAN |
| Ken Forsch | ANA | 5.71 | 198108160_ANA_OAK |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 5.54 | 198108150_PIT_CHN |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 3.3 | 198108160_HOU_SDN |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 2.64 | 198108170_CHA_NYA |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Gale | KCA | -3.87 | 198108170_TOR_KCA |
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -2.76 | 198108150_PIT_CHN |
| Jim Beattie | SEA | -2.47 | 198108160_SEA_MIN |
| Randy Lerch | MIL | -2.35 | 198108162_MIL_TOR |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -1.67 | 198108170_TOR_KCA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-08-17.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 4.34 | Nolan Ryan | 85.7 | HOU |
| +003+ | 4.33 | Bob Knepper | 90.7 | HOU |
| +007+ | 3.29 | Jerry Reuss | 92.3 | LAN |
| +009+ | 3.13 | Steve McCatty | 104.3 | OAK |
| +011+ | 2.8 | Scott Sanderson | 83.3 | WAS |
| +012+ | 2.69 | Vida Blue | 93.7 | SFN |
| +017+ | 2.4 | Fernando Valenzuela | 119.3 | LAN |
| +023+ | 2.26 | Sammy Stewart | 61.7 | BAL |
| +025+ | 2.15 | Len Barker | 97.3 | CLE |
| +026+ | 2.12 | Tom Seaver | 90.3 | CIN |
| +029+ | 2.08 | Dave Righetti | 42 | NYA |
| +030+ | 2.08 | Ken Forsch | 114.7 | ANA |
| +031+ | 2.07 | Richard Dotson | 97 | CHA |
| +036+ | 2.04 | Joe Niekro | 108.7 | HOU |
| +035+ | 2.04 | Jack Morris | 123 | DET |
| +038+ | 2.02 | Doyle Alexander | 90.7 | SFN |
| +043+ | 1.84 | Doug Bird | 67.3 | TOT |
| +047+ | 1.81 | Jim Bibby | 82.7 | PIT |
| +048+ | 1.8 | Bert Blyleven | 108.3 | CLE |
| +050+ | 1.76 | Steve Carlton | 113 | PHI |
| +051+ | 1.74 | Rick Honeycutt | 78.3 | TEX |
| +053+ | 1.74 | Britt Burns | 93 | CHA |
| +058+ | 1.66 | Dennis Lamp | 49.7 | CHA |
| +059+ | 1.63 | Steve Trout | 74.3 | CHA |
| +065+ | 1.56 | Jim Palmer | 83.3 | BAL |
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