| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 7.9 | 198109210_PHI_WAS |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 6.71 | 198109200_HOU_SFN |
| Fernando Valenzuela | LAN | 5.06 | 198109220_LAN_SFN |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.99 | 198109210_CHA_ANA |
| Tommy John | NYA | 4.41 | 198109200_NYA_BOS |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Waits | CLE | -3.48 | 198109210_CLE_NYA |
| Dick Ruthven | PHI | -3.29 | 198109220_PHI_WAS |
| Floyd Bannister | SEA | -2.2 | 198109200_KCA_SEA |
| Ken Kravec | CHN | -1.08 | 198109210_SLN_CHN |
| Geoff Zahn | ANA | -1.04 | 198109200_ANA_TOR |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-22.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 5.26 | Nolan Ryan | 131.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.24 | Bob Knepper | 139 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.06 | Steve Carlton | 174 | PHI |
| +006+ | 4.74 | Fernando Valenzuela | 177.3 | LAN |
| +009+ | 4.4 | Steve McCatty | 169 | OAK |
| +012+ | 4.1 | Jerry Reuss | 131.3 | LAN |
| +014+ | 3.9 | Tom Seaver | 154.3 | CIN |
| +017+ | 3.56 | Britt Burns | 144 | CHA |
| +018+ | 3.54 | Sammy Stewart | 102.7 | BAL |
| +021+ | 3.23 | Dennis Lamp | 105.3 | CHA |
| +022+ | 3.17 | Vida Blue | 125 | SFN |
| +024+ | 3.07 | Tommy John | 128.3 | NYA |
| +025+ | 2.99 | Don Sutton | 147.3 | HOU |
| +028+ | 2.96 | Dave Righetti | 89.7 | NYA |
| +031+ | 2.86 | Burt Hooton | 121.3 | LAN |
| +032+ | 2.84 | Joe Niekro | 148 | HOU |
| +033+ | 2.82 | Larry Gura | 147.3 | KCA |
| +036+ | 2.78 | Jack Morris | 175.3 | DET |
| +042+ | 2.72 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +043+ | 2.71 | Rick Langford | 171.3 | OAK |
| +044+ | 2.69 | Scott Sanderson | 124 | WAS |
| +050+ | 2.54 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +051+ | 2.53 | Bill Gullickson | 142.3 | WAS |
| +054+ | 2.47 | Doyle Alexander | 134.3 | SFN |
| +059+ | 2.3 | Jim Bibby | 93.7 | PIT |
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