| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 4.4 | 198109280_LAN_ATL |
| Larry Gura | KCA | 4.15 | 198109300_KCA_MIN |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 3.99 | 198109300_ANA_CHA |
| Bob Knepper | HOU | 3.53 | 198109290_SDN_HOU |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 2.81 | 198109280_WAS_SLN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -2.38 | 198109290_TOR_OAK |
| Mark Davis | PHI | -2.35 | 198109290_NYN_PHI |
| Frank Tanana | BOS | -1.98 | 198109280_BOS_MIL |
| Floyd Bannister | SEA | -1.62 | 198109300_TEX_SEA |
| Ken Kravec | CHN | -1.16 | 198109290_CHN_PIT |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-30.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 6.05 | Nolan Ryan | 140.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.45 | Bob Knepper | 153.7 | HOU |
| +006+ | 5.44 | Steve Carlton | 183 | PHI |
| +007+ | 4.95 | Steve McCatty | 177.7 | OAK |
| +008+ | 4.58 | Fernando Valenzuela | 184.3 | LAN |
| +012+ | 4.3 | Sammy Stewart | 111.3 | BAL |
| +014+ | 4.25 | Burt Hooton | 137.3 | LAN |
| +017+ | 4.13 | Tom Seaver | 159.3 | CIN |
| +018+ | 3.93 | Larry Gura | 165.3 | KCA |
| +019+ | 3.91 | Jerry Reuss | 143.3 | LAN |
| +020+ | 3.83 | Dennis Lamp | 122 | CHA |
| +022+ | 3.66 | Tommy John | 137.3 | NYA |
| +023+ | 3.64 | Britt Burns | 157 | CHA |
| +025+ | 3.57 | Don Sutton | 156.3 | HOU |
| +029+ | 3.32 | Dave Righetti | 98.7 | NYA |
| +031+ | 3.2 | Joe Niekro | 162 | HOU |
| +041+ | 2.86 | Bill Gullickson | 155.7 | WAS |
| +044+ | 2.75 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +045+ | 2.71 | Dan Petry | 136.7 | DET |
| +049+ | 2.56 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +053+ | 2.48 | Al Holland | 93.3 | SFN |
| +060+ | 2.38 | Jack Morris | 190 | DET |
| +059+ | 2.38 | Rick Langford | 187.3 | OAK |
| +061+ | 2.37 | Scott Sanderson | 134.7 | WAS |
| +062+ | 2.37 | Jim Bibby | 93.7 | PIT |
_