| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 8.82 | 198109271_PHI_CHN |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 6.49 | 198109260_LAN_HOU |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.41 | 198109260_CHA_OAK |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 4.32 | 198109270_CIN_ATL |
| Fernando Valenzuela | LAN | 4.2 | 198109270_LAN_HOU |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Ruthven | PHI | -3.35 | 198109272_PHI_CHN |
| Wayne Garland | CLE | -2.31 | 198109250_CLE_BOS |
| Moose Haas | MIL | -1.98 | 198109260_MIL_DET |
| Floyd Bannister | SEA | -1.85 | 198109250_SEA_KCA |
| Geoff Zahn | ANA | -1.57 | 198109250_TOR_ANA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-27.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 6.06 | Nolan Ryan | 140.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.47 | Steve Carlton | 183 | PHI |
| +006+ | 5.3 | Bob Knepper | 146.7 | HOU |
| +007+ | 4.98 | Steve McCatty | 177.7 | OAK |
| +008+ | 4.6 | Fernando Valenzuela | 184.3 | LAN |
| +010+ | 4.16 | Tom Seaver | 159.3 | CIN |
| +016+ | 3.83 | Dennis Lamp | 114.3 | CHA |
| +018+ | 3.76 | Jerry Reuss | 136.3 | LAN |
| +019+ | 3.68 | Burt Hooton | 130.3 | LAN |
| +020+ | 3.66 | Tommy John | 137.3 | NYA |
| +021+ | 3.62 | Larry Gura | 156.3 | KCA |
| +022+ | 3.61 | Sammy Stewart | 103 | BAL |
| +023+ | 3.59 | Britt Burns | 151 | CHA |
| +024+ | 3.58 | Don Sutton | 156.3 | HOU |
| +026+ | 3.32 | Dave Righetti | 98.7 | NYA |
| +037+ | 2.9 | Scott Sanderson | 131 | WAS |
| +041+ | 2.77 | Bill Gullickson | 149.7 | WAS |
| +042+ | 2.77 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +043+ | 2.76 | Joe Niekro | 154 | HOU |
| +045+ | 2.73 | Dan Petry | 136.7 | DET |
| +048+ | 2.64 | Al Holland | 87.7 | SFN |
| +051+ | 2.59 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +056+ | 2.51 | Rick Reuschel | 152 | TOT |
| +060+ | 2.42 | Rick Langford | 187.3 | OAK |
| +062+ | 2.38 | Jim Bibby | 93.7 | PIT |
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