| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 7.68 | 198108210_LAN_SLN |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 5.25 | 198108212_SDN_PIT |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 4.14 | 198108220_HOU_PHI |
| Ken Forsch | ANA | 3.56 | 198108210_CLE_ANA |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 3.42 | 198108220_CHA_TOR |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -3.08 | 198108212_SDN_PIT |
| Ken Kravec | CHN | -2.29 | 198108210_SFN_CHN |
| Jim Beattie | SEA | -2.16 | 198108220_BOS_SEA |
| Paul Splittorff | KCA | -1.98 | 198108220_KCA_NYA |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -1.66 | 198108220_CHA_TOR |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-08-22.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 4.84 | Nolan Ryan | 91.7 | HOU |
| +003+ | 4.63 | Bob Knepper | 99.3 | HOU |
| +005+ | 4.03 | Jerry Reuss | 101.3 | LAN |
| +008+ | 3.34 | Vida Blue | 101.7 | SFN |
| +012+ | 2.68 | Fernando Valenzuela | 128 | LAN |
| +015+ | 2.61 | Steve McCatty | 112 | OAK |
| +016+ | 2.58 | Tom Seaver | 98.7 | CIN |
| +018+ | 2.48 | Britt Burns | 102 | CHA |
| +019+ | 2.46 | Sammy Stewart | 64 | BAL |
| +024+ | 2.36 | Ken Forsch | 123.7 | ANA |
| +028+ | 2.29 | Jim Bibby | 88.7 | PIT |
| +030+ | 2.28 | Scott Sanderson | 87.3 | WAS |
| +031+ | 2.27 | Bert Blyleven | 122 | CLE |
| +032+ | 2.26 | Burt Hooton | 92.7 | LAN |
| +039+ | 2.07 | Rick Langford | 126 | OAK |
| +042+ | 2.03 | Doug Bird | 75.3 | TOT |
| +043+ | 2.01 | Rick Honeycutt | 86.7 | TEX |
| +045+ | 2 | Dennis Lamp | 56.3 | CHA |
| +047+ | 1.99 | Jack Morris | 123 | DET |
| +049+ | 1.93 | Steve Carlton | 120 | PHI |
| +051+ | 1.87 | Dave Righetti | 49.7 | NYA |
| +052+ | 1.86 | Jim Palmer | 91.7 | BAL |
| +066+ | 1.62 | Milt Wilcox | 98.7 | DET |
| +072+ | 1.57 | Dave LaRoche | 33.7 | NYA |
| +074+ | 1.56 | Steve Trout | 81 | CHA |
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