| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orel Hershiser | LAN | 7.07 | 198809230_LAN_SFN |
| Mark Gubicza | KCA | 4.7 | 198809210_KCA_SEA |
| Allan Anderson | MIN | 3.32 | 198809220_MIN_ANA |
| Jose Rijo | CIN | 3.25 | 198809230_CIN_ATL |
| Joe Magrane | SLN | 2.98 | 198809230_NYN_SLN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Fraser | ANA | -6.92 | 198809210_MIL_ANA |
| Bert Blyleven | MIN | -6.88 | 198809210_MIN_OAK |
| Tom Glavine | ATL | -1.88 | 198809220_ATL_HOU |
| Tommy John | NYA | -1.54 | 198809210_BAL_NYA |
| Doyle Alexander | DET | -1.32 | 198809210_CLE_DET |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1988-09-23.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 8.1 | Orel Hershiser | 257 | LAN |
| +005+ | 7.83 | David Cone | 216 | NYN |
| +009+ | 6.7 | Teddy Higuera | 214 | MIL |
| +010+ | 6.69 | Frank Viola | 236 | MIN |
| +011+ | 6.65 | John Tudor | 192.3 | TOT |
| +014+ | 6.18 | Dennis Martinez | 234 | WAS |
| +016+ | 6.16 | Danny Jackson | 247.3 | CIN |
| +018+ | 5.99 | Mark Gubicza | 253.3 | KCA |
| +020+ | 5.66 | Allan Anderson | 193.7 | MIN |
| +024+ | 5.45 | Joe Magrane | 156.7 | SLN |
| +030+ | 4.91 | Jose Rijo | 162 | CIN |
| +031+ | 4.88 | Tim Leary | 219.7 | LAN |
| +032+ | 4.86 | Roger Clemens | 249 | BOS |
| +037+ | 4.56 | Bob Walk | 207.7 | PIT |
| +038+ | 4.5 | Don Robinson | 161.3 | SFN |
| +039+ | 4.44 | Pascual Perez | 176.3 | WAS |
| +040+ | 4.14 | Dwight Gooden | 243.7 | NYN |
| +044+ | 3.93 | Mike Scott | 211.3 | HOU |
| +051+ | 3.71 | Bobby Ojeda | 190.3 | NYN |
| +057+ | 3.51 | Rick Reuschel | 230 | SFN |
| +062+ | 3.27 | Scott Terry | 119 | SLN |
| +065+ | 3.25 | Jeff Robinson | 172 | DET |
| +067+ | 3.17 | Ron Darling | 227.7 | NYN |
| +070+ | 2.99 | Dave LaPoint | 210 | TOT |
| +071+ | 2.99 | John Smiley | 194.3 | PIT |
_