| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 8.25 | 198108260_LAN_PIT |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 8.24 | 198108250_HOU_NYN |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 4.16 | 198108250_CIN_WAS |
| Tommy John | NYA | 3.45 | 198108240_MIN_NYA |
| Jim Palmer | BAL | 1.41 | 198108250_BAL_SEA |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike LaCoss | CIN | -3.19 | 198108250_CIN_WAS |
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -2.87 | 198108250_SDN_CHN |
| Ken Kravec | CHN | -2.45 | 198108250_SDN_CHN |
| Jerry Gleaton | SEA | -1.79 | 198108240_BAL_SEA |
| Ferguson Jenkins | TEX | -1.33 | 198108250_TEX_TOR |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-08-26.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 5.52 | Nolan Ryan | 98.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 3.9 | Bob Knepper | 104.3 | HOU |
| +005+ | 3.47 | Jerry Reuss | 106.3 | LAN |
| +007+ | 3.44 | Vida Blue | 101.7 | SFN |
| +010+ | 3.08 | Burt Hooton | 101.7 | LAN |
| +011+ | 3.02 | Steve McCatty | 121 | OAK |
| +013+ | 2.99 | Tom Seaver | 107.3 | CIN |
| +014+ | 2.95 | Scott Sanderson | 94.3 | WAS |
| +020+ | 2.77 | Fernando Valenzuela | 128 | LAN |
| +021+ | 2.75 | Sammy Stewart | 69.7 | BAL |
| +025+ | 2.61 | Dennis Lamp | 65.3 | CHA |
| +028+ | 2.57 | Britt Burns | 102 | CHA |
| +029+ | 2.53 | Steve Carlton | 127 | PHI |
| +030+ | 2.44 | Ken Forsch | 123.7 | ANA |
| +032+ | 2.39 | Bert Blyleven | 122 | CLE |
| +034+ | 2.35 | Jim Bibby | 88.7 | PIT |
| +035+ | 2.34 | Bill Gullickson | 109.3 | WAS |
| +039+ | 2.27 | Dave Righetti | 56.7 | NYA |
| +044+ | 2.17 | Rick Langford | 126 | OAK |
| +048+ | 2.09 | Rick Honeycutt | 86.7 | TEX |
| +053+ | 2.03 | Jack Morris | 130 | DET |
| +058+ | 1.89 | Steve Trout | 89 | CHA |
| +063+ | 1.8 | Len Barker | 112.3 | CLE |
| +065+ | 1.77 | Doyle Alexander | 99.3 | SFN |
| +067+ | 1.76 | Milt Wilcox | 104.7 | DET |
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