| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 10.15 | 198109162_PHI_NYN |
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.46 | 198109160_ATL_LAN |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.09 | 198109160_CHA_SEA |
| Bob Knepper | HOU | 3.89 | 198109180_HOU_SFN |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 2.91 | 198109170_CIN_SFN |
| 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 |
| Frank Tanana | BOS | -1.91 | 198109180_NYA_BOS |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-18.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 5.26 | Bob Knepper | 139 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.16 | Nolan Ryan | 122.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.1 | Fernando Valenzuela | 171.3 | LAN |
| +008+ | 4.36 | Steve Carlton | 164 | PHI |
| +009+ | 4.15 | Steve McCatty | 160 | OAK |
| +010+ | 4.11 | Jerry Reuss | 131.3 | LAN |
| +012+ | 3.83 | Dave Righetti | 87.7 | NYA |
| +016+ | 3.68 | Sammy Stewart | 96.7 | BAL |
| +018+ | 3.59 | Britt Burns | 137 | CHA |
| +020+ | 3.49 | Tom Seaver | 146.7 | CIN |
| +022+ | 3.3 | Burt Hooton | 119 | LAN |
| +023+ | 3.18 | Vida Blue | 125 | SFN |
| +027+ | 3.02 | Tommy John | 120.3 | NYA |
| +030+ | 2.94 | Dennis Lamp | 97 | CHA |
| +031+ | 2.86 | Joe Niekro | 148 | HOU |
| +034+ | 2.81 | Scott Sanderson | 124 | WAS |
| +036+ | 2.73 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +037+ | 2.69 | Bert Blyleven | 153 | CLE |
| +046+ | 2.48 | Doyle Alexander | 134.3 | SFN |
| +057+ | 2.3 | John Denny | 125.7 | CLE |
| +059+ | 2.27 | Jack Morris | 166.3 | DET |
| +060+ | 2.26 | Don Sutton | 138.3 | HOU |
| +061+ | 2.24 | Rick Langford | 162.3 | OAK |
| +065+ | 2.05 | Larry Gura | 138.3 | KCA |
| +073+ | 1.91 | Bill Gullickson | 133.3 | WAS |
_