| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 8.25 | 198109040_HOU_WAS |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 4.6 | 198109020_WAS_CIN |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 4.56 | 198109030_HOU_WAS |
| Tommy John | NYA | 4.15 | 198109030_NYA_KCA |
| Phil Niekro | ATL | 1.76 | 198109040_ATL_NYN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -4.45 | 198109040_PIT_SDN |
| Mike LaCoss | CIN | -4.33 | 198109040_CIN_PHI |
| Dick Ruthven | PHI | -2.16 | 198109040_CIN_PHI |
| Randy Lerch | MIL | -2 | 198109020_MIL_KCA |
| Rick Waits | CLE | -1.92 | 198109022_OAK_CLE |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-04.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 6 | Nolan Ryan | 112.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 4.96 | Bob Knepper | 120.3 | HOU |
| +006+ | 4 | Fernando Valenzuela | 147 | LAN |
| +007+ | 3.98 | Tom Seaver | 124.3 | CIN |
| +008+ | 3.88 | Steve McCatty | 139 | OAK |
| +010+ | 3.74 | Steve Carlton | 142 | PHI |
| +013+ | 3.56 | Britt Burns | 117 | CHA |
| +014+ | 3.47 | Sammy Stewart | 81.7 | BAL |
| +015+ | 3.38 | Vida Blue | 115 | SFN |
| +016+ | 3.38 | Jerry Reuss | 111.7 | LAN |
| +018+ | 3.21 | Burt Hooton | 109.7 | LAN |
| +023+ | 3.08 | Scott Sanderson | 106.7 | WAS |
| +025+ | 2.94 | Dave Righetti | 64.7 | NYA |
| +033+ | 2.6 | Dennis Lamp | 80.7 | CHA |
| +035+ | 2.56 | Ken Forsch | 139.3 | ANA |
| +036+ | 2.51 | Doyle Alexander | 114.7 | SFN |
| +041+ | 2.38 | Bert Blyleven | 137 | CLE |
| +044+ | 2.34 | Tommy John | 102.3 | NYA |
| +045+ | 2.33 | Milt Wilcox | 121.7 | DET |
| +053+ | 2.17 | Jack Morris | 147 | DET |
| +052+ | 2.17 | Rick Langford | 138.7 | OAK |
| +055+ | 2.13 | Bill Gullickson | 120.3 | WAS |
| +068+ | 1.83 | Ron Guidry | 96.3 | NYA |
| +070+ | 1.75 | Dave LaRoche | 35.7 | NYA |
| +071+ | 1.73 | Eddie Solomon | 94.7 | PIT |
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