| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | MIN | -3.84 | 198708230_MIN_BOS |
| Ken Dixon | BAL | -2.79 | 198708230_BAL_SEA |
| Phil Niekro | TOR | -2.73 | 198708210_TOR_ANA |
| Jeff Sellers | BOS | -2.62 | 198708230_MIN_BOS |
| Chris Bosio | MIL | -2.23 | 198708230_KCA_MIL |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1987-08-23.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 8.24 | Orel Hershiser | 206 | LAN |
| +004+ | 7.22 | Frank Viola | 199 | MIN |
| +005+ | 7.01 | Charlie Leibrandt | 192 | KCA |
| +008+ | 6.79 | Jimmy Key | 199.7 | TOR |
| +009+ | 6.77 | Rick Reuschel | 176.7 | PIT |
| +010+ | 6.04 | Mike Scott | 193.7 | HOU |
| +012+ | 5.72 | Roger Clemens | 209.3 | BOS |
| +014+ | 5.27 | Bob Welch | 191.3 | LAN |
| +015+ | 5.26 | Nolan Ryan | 155 | HOU |
| +024+ | 4.6 | Bret Saberhagen | 193 | KCA |
| +033+ | 4 | Jack Morris | 190.3 | DET |
| +040+ | 3.83 | Danny Darwin | 172 | HOU |
| +041+ | 3.8 | Dwight Gooden | 123.7 | NYN |
| +043+ | 3.69 | Gene Nelson | 95.7 | OAK |
| +048+ | 3.45 | Dave Stewart | 196 | OAK |
| +050+ | 3.33 | Jim Clancy | 184.3 | TOR |
| +053+ | 3.2 | Mike Dunne | 107 | PIT |
| +057+ | 3.14 | Frank Tanana | 178 | DET |
| +066+ | 2.93 | Rick Rhoden | 170.7 | NYA |
| +076+ | 2.7 | Terry Leach | 106.7 | NYN |
| +077+ | 2.68 | Mike Witt | 189.3 | ANA |
| +082+ | 2.65 | Rick Sutcliffe | 177.3 | CHN |
| +083+ | 2.61 | Richard Dotson | 190.3 | CHA |
| +085+ | 2.55 | Sid Fernandez | 132 | NYN |
| +091+ | 2.46 | Dave Dravecky | 144 | TOT |
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