| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 7.9 | 198109210_PHI_WAS |
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.61 | 198109230_LAN_SFN |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.99 | 198109210_CHA_ANA |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 3.73 | 198109220_CIN_SDN |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 3.29 | 198109220_PIT_NYN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Waits | CLE | -3.48 | 198109210_CLE_NYA |
| Dick Ruthven | PHI | -3.29 | 198109220_PHI_WAS |
| Frank Tanana | BOS | -2.41 | 198109230_MIL_BOS |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -2.31 | 198109230_OAK_TOR |
| Ken Clay | SEA | -2.18 | 198109220_SEA_TEX |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-23.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 5.25 | Nolan Ryan | 131.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.23 | Bob Knepper | 139 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.04 | Steve Carlton | 174 | PHI |
| +007+ | 4.74 | Fernando Valenzuela | 177.3 | LAN |
| +010+ | 4.39 | Steve McCatty | 169 | OAK |
| +013+ | 3.89 | Tom Seaver | 154.3 | CIN |
| +016+ | 3.68 | Jerry Reuss | 136.3 | LAN |
| +017+ | 3.56 | Britt Burns | 144 | CHA |
| +018+ | 3.53 | Sammy Stewart | 102.7 | BAL |
| +021+ | 3.43 | Rick Langford | 180.3 | OAK |
| +022+ | 3.23 | Dennis Lamp | 105.3 | CHA |
| +024+ | 3.16 | Vida Blue | 125 | SFN |
| +025+ | 3.06 | Tommy John | 128.3 | NYA |
| +028+ | 2.98 | Don Sutton | 147.3 | HOU |
| +030+ | 2.95 | Dave Righetti | 89.7 | NYA |
| +035+ | 2.86 | Burt Hooton | 121.3 | LAN |
| +036+ | 2.84 | Scott Sanderson | 131 | WAS |
| +038+ | 2.8 | Larry Gura | 147.3 | KCA |
| +039+ | 2.78 | Jack Morris | 175.3 | DET |
| +043+ | 2.71 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +044+ | 2.69 | Joe Niekro | 154 | HOU |
| +049+ | 2.54 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +052+ | 2.52 | Bill Gullickson | 142.3 | WAS |
| +054+ | 2.44 | Rick Reuschel | 152 | TOT |
| +060+ | 2.3 | Jim Bibby | 93.7 | PIT |
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