| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 8.25 | 198108260_LAN_PIT |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 8.24 | 198108250_HOU_NYN |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.65 | 198108270_NYA_CHA |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 4.16 | 198108250_CIN_WAS |
| Ken Forsch | ANA | 3.68 | 198108270_ANA_BAL |
| 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 |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -1.71 | 198108270_KCA_TOR |
| Glenn Abbott | SEA | -1.5 | 198108250_BAL_SEA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-08-27.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 5.54 | Nolan Ryan | 98.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 3.91 | Bob Knepper | 104.3 | HOU |
| +006+ | 3.53 | Fernando Valenzuela | 137 | LAN |
| +007+ | 3.47 | Jerry Reuss | 106.3 | LAN |
| +008+ | 3.34 | Vida Blue | 108.7 | SFN |
| +012+ | 3.18 | Britt Burns | 109 | CHA |
| +014+ | 3.08 | Burt Hooton | 101.7 | LAN |
| +015+ | 3.04 | Steve McCatty | 121 | OAK |
| +016+ | 3 | Tom Seaver | 107.3 | CIN |
| +017+ | 2.96 | Scott Sanderson | 94.3 | WAS |
| +023+ | 2.75 | Bert Blyleven | 128.7 | CLE |
| +022+ | 2.75 | Sammy Stewart | 69.7 | BAL |
| +029+ | 2.62 | Dennis Lamp | 65.3 | CHA |
| +033+ | 2.53 | Steve Carlton | 127 | PHI |
| +035+ | 2.34 | Bill Gullickson | 109.3 | WAS |
| +037+ | 2.32 | Jim Bibby | 88.7 | PIT |
| +039+ | 2.28 | Dave Righetti | 56.7 | NYA |
| +040+ | 2.24 | Ken Forsch | 131 | ANA |
| +047+ | 2.09 | Rick Honeycutt | 86.7 | TEX |
| +048+ | 2.09 | Rick Langford | 132.3 | OAK |
| +050+ | 2.03 | Jack Morris | 130 | DET |
| +056+ | 1.9 | Steve Trout | 89 | CHA |
| +060+ | 1.8 | Len Barker | 112.3 | CLE |
| +062+ | 1.77 | Milt Wilcox | 104.7 | DET |
| +066+ | 1.73 | Doyle Alexander | 99.3 | SFN |
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