| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 5.62 | 198105260_PHI_NYN |
| Joe Niekro | HOU | 5.13 | 198105250_SDN_HOU |
| Jim Bibby | PIT | 4.22 | 198105240_PHI_PIT |
| Rudy May | NYA | 3.98 | 198105240_CLE_NYA |
| Scott McGregor | BAL | 3.88 | 198105260_NYA_BAL |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -4.16 | 198105260_PIT_CHN |
| Glenn Abbott | SEA | -3.89 | 198105260_KCA_SEA |
| Rich Gale | KCA | -2.32 | 198105240_MIN_KCA |
| Wayne Garland | CLE | -2.03 | 198105260_CLE_BOS |
| Bob Walk | ATL | -1.91 | 198105250_LAN_ATL |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-05-26.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +001+ | 5 | Fernando Valenzuela | 87.3 | LAN |
| +003+ | 3.3 | Bob Knepper | 61.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 3.26 | Nolan Ryan | 56 | HOU |
| +006+ | 2.75 | Doyle Alexander | 62.3 | SFN |
| +007+ | 2.75 | Jerry Reuss | 59.7 | LAN |
| +008+ | 2.58 | Tom Seaver | 69.3 | CIN |
| +010+ | 2.46 | Burt Hooton | 69 | LAN |
| +011+ | 2.42 | Bert Blyleven | 63 | CLE |
| +012+ | 2.25 | Vida Blue | 61.3 | SFN |
| +013+ | 2.23 | Joe Niekro | 79.7 | HOU |
| +017+ | 2.03 | Steve McCatty | 76.3 | OAK |
| +022+ | 1.88 | Len Barker | 56.3 | CLE |
| +023+ | 1.83 | Bryan Clark | 55.3 | SEA |
| +024+ | 1.83 | Matt Keough | 71.3 | OAK |
| +032+ | 1.63 | Steve Trout | 49.7 | CHA |
| +038+ | 1.49 | Scott Sanderson | 56 | WAS |
| +040+ | 1.42 | Jim Bibby | 57.7 | PIT |
| +043+ | 1.39 | Andy Rincon | 35.7 | SLN |
| +046+ | 1.36 | Brian Kingman | 63 | OAK |
| +051+ | 1.29 | Jim Palmer | 62.3 | BAL |
| +052+ | 1.27 | Scott McGregor | 54.7 | BAL |
| XXXXX | 1.21 | Ken Forsch | 67 | ANA |
| XXXXX | 1.2 | Allen Ripley | 61.3 | SFN |
| XXXXX | 1.14 | Britt Burns | 64 | CHA |
| XXXXX | 1.13 | Jack Morris | 85.3 | DET |
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