| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 8.25 | 198108260_LAN_PIT |
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 5.93 | 198108280_PHI_HOU |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.65 | 198108270_NYA_CHA |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 4.28 | 198108280_CIN_NYN |
| Ken Forsch | ANA | 3.68 | 198108270_ANA_BAL |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Gale | KCA | -6.21 | 198108280_KCA_TOR |
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -3.15 | 198108280_CHN_LAN |
| Jim Beattie | SEA | -2.35 | 198108280_SEA_CLE |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -1.71 | 198108270_KCA_TOR |
| Fernando Arroyo | MIN | -1.49 | 198108280_DET_MIN |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-08-28.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 5.51 | Nolan Ryan | 98.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 4.26 | Bob Knepper | 111.3 | HOU |
| +006+ | 3.51 | Fernando Valenzuela | 137 | LAN |
| +007+ | 3.46 | Jerry Reuss | 106.3 | LAN |
| +009+ | 3.33 | Vida Blue | 108.7 | SFN |
| +010+ | 3.32 | Tom Seaver | 116.3 | CIN |
| +013+ | 3.17 | Britt Burns | 109 | CHA |
| +015+ | 3.06 | Burt Hooton | 101.7 | LAN |
| +016+ | 3.04 | Steve McCatty | 121 | OAK |
| +017+ | 3.01 | Steve Carlton | 133 | PHI |
| +018+ | 2.94 | Scott Sanderson | 94.3 | WAS |
| +021+ | 2.91 | Sammy Stewart | 71.7 | BAL |
| +025+ | 2.73 | Bert Blyleven | 128.7 | CLE |
| +030+ | 2.61 | Dennis Lamp | 65.3 | CHA |
| +038+ | 2.32 | Bill Gullickson | 109.3 | WAS |
| +037+ | 2.32 | Jim Bibby | 88.7 | PIT |
| +040+ | 2.27 | Dave Righetti | 56.7 | NYA |
| +041+ | 2.22 | Ken Forsch | 131 | ANA |
| +047+ | 2.09 | Rick Langford | 132.3 | OAK |
| +049+ | 2.03 | Jack Morris | 130 | DET |
| +058+ | 1.8 | Steve Trout | 95.3 | CHA |
| +059+ | 1.79 | Len Barker | 112.3 | CLE |
| +060+ | 1.76 | Milt Wilcox | 104.7 | DET |
| +063+ | 1.72 | Tommy John | 87.3 | NYA |
| +064+ | 1.71 | Doyle Alexander | 99.3 | SFN |
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