| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 10.15 | 198109162_PHI_NYN |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 7.45 | 198109150_CIN_HOU |
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.46 | 198109160_ATL_LAN |
| Tommy John | NYA | 4.09 | 198109140_NYA_MIL |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.09 | 198109160_CHA_SEA |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -4.75 | 198109160_HOU_SDN |
| Dick Ruthven | PHI | -3.83 | 198109161_PHI_NYN |
| Ken Clay | SEA | -2.86 | 198109160_CHA_SEA |
| Randy Lerch | MIL | -2.55 | 198109160_NYA_MIL |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -1.78 | 198109140_MIN_TOR |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-16.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 5.75 | Bob Knepper | 135 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.15 | Nolan Ryan | 122.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 4.36 | Steve Carlton | 164 | PHI |
| +006+ | 4.35 | Fernando Valenzuela | 162.3 | LAN |
| +007+ | 4.31 | Steve McCatty | 154.3 | OAK |
| +010+ | 4.1 | Jerry Reuss | 131.3 | LAN |
| +012+ | 3.83 | Dave Righetti | 87.7 | NYA |
| +016+ | 3.59 | Britt Burns | 137 | CHA |
| +020+ | 3.43 | Sammy Stewart | 88.7 | BAL |
| +021+ | 3.3 | Burt Hooton | 119 | LAN |
| +022+ | 3.19 | Vida Blue | 125 | SFN |
| +024+ | 3.02 | Tommy John | 120.3 | NYA |
| +027+ | 2.94 | Dennis Lamp | 97 | CHA |
| +030+ | 2.75 | Tom Seaver | 137.7 | CIN |
| +033+ | 2.71 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +035+ | 2.69 | Bert Blyleven | 153 | CLE |
| +042+ | 2.47 | John Denny | 117.7 | CLE |
| +049+ | 2.39 | Doyle Alexander | 128 | SFN |
| +055+ | 2.25 | Don Sutton | 138.3 | HOU |
| +056+ | 2.24 | Jack Morris | 166.3 | DET |
| +057+ | 2.23 | Rick Langford | 162.3 | OAK |
| +060+ | 2.15 | Rick Reuschel | 136.3 | TOT |
| +063+ | 2.09 | Joe Niekro | 139 | HOU |
| +066+ | 2.06 | Larry Gura | 138.3 | KCA |
| +065+ | 2.06 | Steve Trout | 116.3 | CHA |
_