| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 8.82 | 198109271_PHI_CHN |
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 4.4 | 198109280_LAN_ATL |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 4.32 | 198109270_CIN_ATL |
| Bob Knepper | HOU | 3.53 | 198109290_SDN_HOU |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 2.81 | 198109280_WAS_SLN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Ruthven | PHI | -3.35 | 198109272_PHI_CHN |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -2.38 | 198109290_TOR_OAK |
| Frank Tanana | BOS | -1.98 | 198109280_BOS_MIL |
| Randy Lerch | MIL | -1.81 | 198109270_MIL_DET |
| Ken Clay | SEA | -1.73 | 198109270_SEA_KCA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-29.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 6.04 | Nolan Ryan | 140.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.45 | Steve Carlton | 183 | PHI |
| +005+ | 5.44 | Bob Knepper | 153.7 | HOU |
| +007+ | 4.96 | Steve McCatty | 177.7 | OAK |
| +008+ | 4.59 | Fernando Valenzuela | 184.3 | LAN |
| +011+ | 4.31 | Sammy Stewart | 111.3 | BAL |
| +013+ | 4.14 | Tom Seaver | 159.3 | CIN |
| +016+ | 3.92 | Jerry Reuss | 143.3 | LAN |
| +018+ | 3.84 | Dennis Lamp | 122 | CHA |
| +019+ | 3.68 | Burt Hooton | 130.3 | LAN |
| +020+ | 3.67 | Tommy John | 137.3 | NYA |
| +022+ | 3.6 | Larry Gura | 156.3 | KCA |
| +024+ | 3.57 | Britt Burns | 151 | CHA |
| +025+ | 3.57 | Don Sutton | 156.3 | HOU |
| +026+ | 3.33 | Dave Righetti | 98.7 | NYA |
| +029+ | 3.2 | Joe Niekro | 162 | HOU |
| +042+ | 2.79 | Bill Gullickson | 149.7 | WAS |
| +043+ | 2.74 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +044+ | 2.72 | Dan Petry | 136.7 | DET |
| +050+ | 2.57 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +054+ | 2.48 | Al Holland | 93.3 | SFN |
| +059+ | 2.4 | Rick Langford | 187.3 | OAK |
| +060+ | 2.39 | Jack Morris | 190 | DET |
| +061+ | 2.38 | Scott Sanderson | 134.7 | WAS |
| +062+ | 2.37 | Jim Bibby | 93.7 | PIT |
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