| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Knepper | HOU | 3.89 | 198109180_HOU_SFN |
| Fernando Valenzuela | LAN | 3.72 | 198109170_ATL_LAN |
| Tom Seaver | CIN | 2.91 | 198109170_CIN_SFN |
| Steve McCatty | OAK | 2.68 | 198109180_OAK_CHA |
| Bert Blyleven | CLE | 2.49 | 198109190_DET_CLE |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Clancy | TOR | -2.07 | 198109190_ANA_TOR |
| Frank Tanana | BOS | -1.91 | 198109180_NYA_BOS |
| Mike Krukow | CHN | -1.73 | 198109190_CHN_WAS |
| Mark Davis | PHI | -1.72 | 198109180_PIT_PHI |
| Pete Redfern | MIN | -1.35 | 198109180_MIN_TEX |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1981-09-19.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 5.28 | Bob Knepper | 139 | HOU |
| +004+ | 5.18 | Nolan Ryan | 122.7 | HOU |
| +005+ | 5.11 | Fernando Valenzuela | 171.3 | LAN |
| +008+ | 4.38 | Steve Carlton | 164 | PHI |
| +010+ | 4.17 | Steve McCatty | 160 | OAK |
| +011+ | 4.12 | Jerry Reuss | 131.3 | LAN |
| +013+ | 3.85 | Dave Righetti | 87.7 | NYA |
| +015+ | 3.7 | Sammy Stewart | 96.7 | BAL |
| +018+ | 3.61 | Britt Burns | 137 | CHA |
| +020+ | 3.5 | Tom Seaver | 146.7 | CIN |
| +022+ | 3.24 | Dennis Lamp | 105.3 | CHA |
| +023+ | 3.2 | Vida Blue | 125 | SFN |
| +025+ | 3.05 | Tommy John | 120.3 | NYA |
| +033+ | 2.88 | Burt Hooton | 121.3 | LAN |
| +034+ | 2.88 | Joe Niekro | 148 | HOU |
| +036+ | 2.82 | Scott Sanderson | 124 | WAS |
| +038+ | 2.79 | Rick Langford | 171.3 | OAK |
| +039+ | 2.76 | Ken Forsch | 153.3 | ANA |
| +042+ | 2.58 | Bert Blyleven | 159 | CLE |
| +047+ | 2.5 | Doyle Alexander | 134.3 | SFN |
| +055+ | 2.32 | John Denny | 125.7 | CLE |
| +056+ | 2.29 | Jack Morris | 166.3 | DET |
| +057+ | 2.28 | Don Sutton | 138.3 | HOU |
| +063+ | 2.18 | Ron Guidry | 115 | NYA |
| +066+ | 2.09 | Larry Gura | 138.3 | KCA |
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