| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.61 | 198109230_LAN_SFN |
| Tommy John | NYA | 3.89 | 198109250_BAL_NYA |
| Bob Knepper | HOU | 3.34 | 198109240_ATL_HOU |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 2.8 | 198109230_PIT_WAS |
| Dennis Lamp | CHA | 1.88 | 198109240_CHA_ANA |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Tanana | BOS | -2.41 | 198109230_MIL_BOS |
| Wayne Garland | CLE | -2.31 | 198109250_CLE_BOS |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -2.31 | 198109230_OAK_TOR |
| Mark Davis | PHI | -2.15 | 198109240_PHI_SLN |
| Floyd Bannister | SEA | -1.85 | 198109250_SEA_KCA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-25.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 5.28 | Nolan Ryan | 131.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.27 | Bob Knepper | 146.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.09 | Steve Carlton | 174 | PHI |
| +007+ | 4.79 | Fernando Valenzuela | 177.3 | LAN |
| +009+ | 4.44 | Steve McCatty | 169 | OAK |
| +015+ | 3.93 | Tom Seaver | 154.3 | CIN |
| +017+ | 3.81 | Dennis Lamp | 114.3 | CHA |
| +018+ | 3.71 | Jerry Reuss | 136.3 | LAN |
| +020+ | 3.64 | Burt Hooton | 130.3 | LAN |
| +019+ | 3.64 | Tommy John | 137.3 | NYA |
| +021+ | 3.59 | Britt Burns | 144 | CHA |
| +022+ | 3.55 | Sammy Stewart | 102.7 | BAL |
| +023+ | 3.48 | Rick Langford | 180.3 | OAK |
| +031+ | 3.02 | Don Sutton | 147.3 | HOU |
| +033+ | 2.97 | Dave Righetti | 89.7 | NYA |
| +036+ | 2.88 | Scott Sanderson | 131 | WAS |
| +037+ | 2.84 | Larry Gura | 147.3 | KCA |
| +042+ | 2.74 | Bill Gullickson | 149.7 | WAS |
| +041+ | 2.74 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +043+ | 2.73 | Joe Niekro | 154 | HOU |
| +049+ | 2.63 | Al Holland | 87.7 | SFN |
| +051+ | 2.6 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +053+ | 2.48 | Rick Reuschel | 152 | TOT |
| +058+ | 2.34 | Jim Bibby | 93.7 | PIT |
| +057+ | 2.34 | Ron Guidry | 117 | NYA |
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