| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Key | TOR | 8.44 | 198709250_DET_TOR |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 7.03 | 198709240_HOU_ATL |
| Frank Viola | MIN | 6.8 | 198709240_TEX_MIN |
| Roger Clemens | BOS | 5.41 | 198709250_BOS_MIL |
| Bret Saberhagen | KCA | 3.75 | 198709260_KCA_MIN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | MIN | -3.24 | 198709260_KCA_MIN |
| Tom Browning | CIN | -3.06 | 198709250_HOU_CIN |
| Greg Maddux | CHN | -2.98 | 198709240_PHI_CHN |
| Al Nipper | BOS | -2.61 | 198709260_BOS_MIL |
| Chris Bosio | MIL | -1.79 | 198709240_BOS_MIL |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1987-09-26.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 9.07 | Jimmy Key | 248 | TOR |
| +004+ | 8.4 | Frank Viola | 246.3 | MIN |
| +005+ | 8.21 | Orel Hershiser | 251.7 | LAN |
| +007+ | 7.46 | Nolan Ryan | 197.7 | HOU |
| +009+ | 7.18 | Roger Clemens | 264 | BOS |
| +010+ | 6.8 | Rick Reuschel | 221.7 | TOT |
| +015+ | 6.01 | Charlie Leibrandt | 232 | KCA |
| +024+ | 5.54 | Bret Saberhagen | 248 | KCA |
| +025+ | 5.46 | Doyle Alexander | 188.7 | TOT |
| +026+ | 5.45 | Mike Scott | 240.3 | HOU |
| +028+ | 5.35 | Mike Dunne | 152 | PIT |
| +030+ | 5.18 | Bob Welch | 242.3 | LAN |
| +034+ | 4.73 | Jack Morris | 242 | DET |
| +045+ | 4.24 | Dwight Gooden | 171.3 | NYN |
| +046+ | 4.13 | Dave Dravecky | 182.7 | TOT |
| +047+ | 4.08 | Dave Stewart | 251 | OAK |
| +052+ | 3.76 | Rick Sutcliffe | 230.7 | CHN |
| +054+ | 3.73 | Jim Clancy | 232.3 | TOR |
| +061+ | 3.43 | Danny Darwin | 191 | HOU |
| +067+ | 3.3 | Charlie Hough | 270.3 | TEX |
| +068+ | 3.27 | Atlee Hammaker | 159 | SFN |
| +081+ | 2.82 | Floyd Bannister | 216.3 | CHA |
| +082+ | 2.81 | Dennis Martinez | 137.7 | WAS |
| +083+ | 2.8 | Teddy Higuera | 246.3 | MIL |
| +086+ | 2.75 | Mark Langston | 260 | SEA |
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