| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 8.25 | 198109040_HOU_WAS |
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 7.51 | 198109050_CIN_PHI |
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.43 | 198109050_SLN_LAN |
| Scott Sanderson | WAS | 4.56 | 198109030_HOU_WAS |
| Tommy John | NYA | 4.15 | 198109030_NYA_KCA |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -4.45 | 198109040_PIT_SDN |
| Mike LaCoss | CIN | -4.33 | 198109040_CIN_PHI |
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -2.86 | 198109050_CHN_SFN |
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -2.72 | 198109050_TOR_CHA |
| Ken Clay | SEA | -2.22 | 198109050_SEA_BOS |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-05.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 5.99 | Nolan Ryan | 112.7 | HOU |
| +004+ | 4.95 | Bob Knepper | 120.3 | HOU |
| +006+ | 4.08 | Steve Carlton | 149 | PHI |
| +007+ | 3.96 | Tom Seaver | 124.3 | CIN |
| +008+ | 3.93 | Fernando Valenzuela | 147 | LAN |
| +010+ | 3.86 | Steve McCatty | 139 | OAK |
| +013+ | 3.54 | Britt Burns | 117 | CHA |
| +014+ | 3.46 | Sammy Stewart | 81.7 | BAL |
| +016+ | 3.39 | Dave Righetti | 72.7 | NYA |
| +017+ | 3.35 | Vida Blue | 115 | SFN |
| +019+ | 3.22 | Jerry Reuss | 118 | LAN |
| +020+ | 3.16 | Burt Hooton | 109.7 | LAN |
| +023+ | 3.06 | Scott Sanderson | 106.7 | WAS |
| +031+ | 2.68 | Bert Blyleven | 146 | CLE |
| +034+ | 2.58 | Dennis Lamp | 80.7 | CHA |
| +036+ | 2.56 | Ken Forsch | 139.3 | ANA |
| +039+ | 2.49 | Doyle Alexander | 114.7 | SFN |
| +045+ | 2.32 | Tommy John | 102.3 | NYA |
| +047+ | 2.3 | Milt Wilcox | 121.7 | DET |
| +055+ | 2.13 | Jack Morris | 147 | DET |
| +059+ | 2.1 | Bill Gullickson | 120.3 | WAS |
| +065+ | 1.91 | Larry Gura | 133.7 | KCA |
| +071+ | 1.81 | Ron Guidry | 96.3 | NYA |
| +072+ | 1.79 | Rick Langford | 147 | OAK |
| +073+ | 1.77 | Dan Petry | 98 | DET |
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