| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Rogers | WAS | 6.45 | 197909221_WAS_PHI |
| J.R. Richard | HOU | 6.38 | 197909210_CIN_HOU |
| Tommy John | NYA | 6.3 | 197909230_NYA_TOR |
| Dennis Eckersley | BOS | 4.11 | 197909231_DET_BOS |
| Mike Flanagan | BAL | 3.72 | 197909232_CLE_BAL |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Huffman | TOR | -5.41 | 197909230_NYA_TOR |
| Matt Keough | OAK | -4.8 | 197909220_KCA_OAK |
| Vida Blue | SFN | -3.94 | 197909220_SFN_ATL |
| John Denny | SLN | -3.53 | 197909221_SLN_NYN |
| Chris Knapp | ANA | -2.68 | 197909220_TEX_ANA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1979-09-23.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +008+ | 7.14 | J.R. Richard | 276.3 | HOU |
| +012+ | 6.54 | Ron Guidry | 224.3 | NYA |
| +015+ | 6.36 | Tommy John | 267.7 | NYA |
| +016+ | 6.36 | Joe Niekro | 254.3 | HOU |
| +020+ | 5.69 | Dennis Eckersley | 247 | BOS |
| +022+ | 5.54 | Steve Rogers | 236.7 | WAS |
| +023+ | 5.33 | Mike Flanagan | 258.7 | BAL |
| +025+ | 5.05 | Burt Hooton | 212 | LAN |
| +028+ | 4.81 | Gaylord Perry | 232.7 | SDN |
| +035+ | 4.56 | Phil Niekro | 324 | ATL |
| +039+ | 4.29 | Dan Schatzeder | 156.7 | WAS |
| +043+ | 4.12 | Bill Lee | 214.3 | WAS |
| +045+ | 4.06 | Mike Marshall | 138 | MIN |
| +050+ | 3.9 | Tom Seaver | 207 | CIN |
| +052+ | 3.84 | John Fulgham | 135.3 | SLN |
| +055+ | 3.78 | Rudy May | 89.3 | WAS |
| +062+ | 3.62 | Ken Forsch | 163.7 | HOU |
| +064+ | 3.53 | John Candelaria | 206.7 | PIT |
| +066+ | 3.46 | Craig Swan | 237 | NYN |
| +067+ | 3.43 | Joaquin Andujar | 193.3 | HOU |
| +072+ | 3.19 | David Palmer | 112.7 | WAS |
| +076+ | 3.16 | Mike Caldwell | 226 | MIL |
| +077+ | 3.13 | Jerry Koosman | 247.3 | MIN |
| +078+ | 3.13 | Jim Palmer | 150.3 | BAL |
| +086+ | 3.01 | Rick Reuschel | 235 | CHN |
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