| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carlton | PHI | 10.15 | 198109162_PHI_NYN |
| Nolan Ryan | HOU | 7.45 | 198109150_CIN_HOU |
| Jerry Reuss | LAN | 5.46 | 198109160_ATL_LAN |
| Britt Burns | CHA | 4.09 | 198109160_CHA_SEA |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 2.91 | 198109170_CIN_SFN |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Lollar | SDN | -4.75 | 198109160_HOU_SDN |
| Dick Ruthven | PHI | -3.83 | 198109161_PHI_NYN |
| Ken Clay | SEA | -2.86 | 198109160_CHA_SEA |
| Randy Lerch | MIL | -2.55 | 198109160_NYA_MIL |
| Geoff Zahn | ANA | -1.39 | 198109160_KCA_ANA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-17.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 5.73 | Bob Knepper | 135 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.13 | Nolan Ryan | 122.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.07 | Fernando Valenzuela | 171.3 | LAN |
| +007+ | 4.34 | Steve Carlton | 164 | PHI |
| +008+ | 4.29 | Steve McCatty | 154.3 | OAK |
| +010+ | 4.09 | Jerry Reuss | 131.3 | LAN |
| +012+ | 3.82 | Dave Righetti | 87.7 | NYA |
| +017+ | 3.58 | Britt Burns | 137 | CHA |
| +019+ | 3.47 | Tom Seaver | 146.7 | CIN |
| +021+ | 3.42 | Sammy Stewart | 88.7 | BAL |
| +022+ | 3.28 | Burt Hooton | 119 | LAN |
| +023+ | 3.17 | Vida Blue | 125 | SFN |
| +026+ | 3.01 | Tommy John | 120.3 | NYA |
| +028+ | 2.93 | Dennis Lamp | 97 | CHA |
| +030+ | 2.82 | Joe Niekro | 148 | HOU |
| +034+ | 2.69 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +036+ | 2.67 | Bert Blyleven | 153 | CLE |
| +043+ | 2.46 | John Denny | 117.7 | CLE |
| +051+ | 2.36 | Doyle Alexander | 128 | SFN |
| +057+ | 2.23 | Don Sutton | 138.3 | HOU |
| +056+ | 2.23 | Jack Morris | 166.3 | DET |
| +058+ | 2.22 | Rick Langford | 162.3 | OAK |
| +061+ | 2.14 | Rick Reuschel | 136.3 | TOT |
| +065+ | 2.04 | Steve Trout | 116.3 | CHA |
| +067+ | 2.04 | Larry Gura | 138.3 | KCA |
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