| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.61 | 198109230_LAN_SFN |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 3.73 | 198109220_CIN_SDN |
| Bob Knepper | HOU | 3.34 | 198109240_ATL_HOU |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 3.29 | 198109220_PIT_NYN |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 2.8 | 198109230_PIT_WAS |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Pete Redfern | MIN | -1.45 | 198109230_MIN_KCA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-24.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 5.27 | Nolan Ryan | 131.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.26 | Bob Knepper | 146.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.07 | Steve Carlton | 174 | PHI |
| +007+ | 4.77 | Fernando Valenzuela | 177.3 | LAN |
| +009+ | 4.42 | Steve McCatty | 169 | OAK |
| +012+ | 3.91 | Tom Seaver | 154.3 | CIN |
| +015+ | 3.8 | Dennis Lamp | 114.3 | CHA |
| +016+ | 3.7 | Jerry Reuss | 136.3 | LAN |
| +018+ | 3.58 | Britt Burns | 144 | CHA |
| +019+ | 3.54 | Sammy Stewart | 102.7 | BAL |
| +021+ | 3.46 | Rick Langford | 180.3 | OAK |
| +025+ | 3.18 | Vida Blue | 125 | SFN |
| +028+ | 3.08 | Tommy John | 128.3 | NYA |
| +029+ | 3 | Don Sutton | 147.3 | HOU |
| +031+ | 2.96 | Dave Righetti | 89.7 | NYA |
| +033+ | 2.88 | Burt Hooton | 121.3 | LAN |
| +034+ | 2.86 | Scott Sanderson | 131 | WAS |
| +035+ | 2.82 | Larry Gura | 147.3 | KCA |
| +036+ | 2.81 | Jack Morris | 175.3 | DET |
| +044+ | 2.73 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +045+ | 2.72 | Joe Niekro | 154 | HOU |
| +048+ | 2.56 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +049+ | 2.54 | Bill Gullickson | 142.3 | WAS |
| +052+ | 2.46 | Rick Reuschel | 152 | TOT |
| +059+ | 2.33 | Ron Guidry | 117 | NYA |
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