| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Maddux | CHN | -2.44 | 198710020_CHN_WAS |
| Tom Browning | CIN | -2.37 | 198709300_CIN_SDN |
| Al Nipper | BOS | -2.35 | 198710010_BOS_NYA |
| Jerry Reuss | ANA | -2 | 198709300_ANA_CHA |
| Darrel Akerfelds | CLE | -1.82 | 198709300_CLE_OAK |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1987-10-02.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 8.63 | Jimmy Key | 253.3 | TOR |
| +004+ | 8.54 | Frank Viola | 252.3 | MIN |
| +006+ | 7.98 | Roger Clemens | 273 | BOS |
| +008+ | 7.26 | Nolan Ryan | 204.7 | HOU |
| +009+ | 6.99 | Orel Hershiser | 257 | LAN |
| +015+ | 6.33 | Doyle Alexander | 206.3 | TOT |
| +018+ | 6.18 | Rick Reuschel | 226.7 | TOT |
| +019+ | 6.17 | Mike Scott | 248.3 | HOU |
| +021+ | 6.01 | Bob Welch | 251.3 | LAN |
| +022+ | 5.95 | Bret Saberhagen | 257 | KCA |
| +031+ | 4.95 | Charlie Leibrandt | 232.7 | KCA |
| +036+ | 4.74 | Jack Morris | 250 | DET |
| +039+ | 4.47 | Dwight Gooden | 180.3 | NYN |
| +040+ | 4.42 | Mike Dunne | 155.7 | PIT |
| +045+ | 4.13 | Dave Stewart | 257 | OAK |
| +046+ | 4.07 | Jim Clancy | 241.3 | TOR |
| +053+ | 3.64 | Dave Dravecky | 191 | TOT |
| +059+ | 3.49 | Charlie Hough | 279.3 | TEX |
| +060+ | 3.48 | Rick Sutcliffe | 238.7 | CHN |
| +064+ | 3.41 | Floyd Bannister | 223.3 | CHA |
| +066+ | 3.33 | Joe Magrane | 168 | SLN |
| +067+ | 3.31 | Mark Langston | 266.3 | SEA |
| +070+ | 3.27 | Dennis Martinez | 144.7 | WAS |
| +073+ | 3.24 | Danny Darwin | 196 | HOU |
| +076+ | 3.18 | Pascual Perez | 65.7 | WAS |
_