| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Key | TOR | 8.44 | 198709250_DET_TOR |
| Roger Clemens | BOS | 5.41 | 198709250_BOS_MIL |
| Charlie Leibrandt | KCA | 4.3 | 198709270_KCA_MIN |
| Mike Scott | HOU | 3.61 | 198709250_HOU_CIN |
| Doyle Alexander | DET | 3.58 | 198709270_DET_TOR |
| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Schrom | CLE | -4.27 | 198709270_ANA_CLE |
| Phil Niekro | ATL | -3.68 | 198709270_SFN_ATL |
| Steve Carlton | MIN | -3.24 | 198709260_KCA_MIN |
| Tom Browning | CIN | -3.06 | 198709250_HOU_CIN |
| Al Nipper | BOS | -2.61 | 198709260_BOS_MIL |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1987-09-27.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 9.03 | Jimmy Key | 248 | TOR |
| +004+ | 8.42 | Frank Viola | 246.3 | MIN |
| +005+ | 8.24 | Orel Hershiser | 251.7 | LAN |
| +007+ | 7.5 | Nolan Ryan | 197.7 | HOU |
| +009+ | 7.22 | Roger Clemens | 264 | BOS |
| +011+ | 6.83 | Rick Reuschel | 221.7 | TOT |
| +013+ | 6.33 | Doyle Alexander | 199.3 | TOT |
| +024+ | 5.58 | Bret Saberhagen | 248 | KCA |
| +025+ | 5.49 | Mike Scott | 240.3 | HOU |
| +029+ | 5.21 | Bob Welch | 242.3 | LAN |
| +032+ | 5.06 | Charlie Leibrandt | 232.7 | KCA |
| +034+ | 4.68 | Jack Morris | 242 | DET |
| +037+ | 4.49 | Mike Dunne | 155.7 | PIT |
| +042+ | 4.38 | Jim Clancy | 239.3 | TOR |
| +044+ | 4.26 | Dwight Gooden | 171.3 | NYN |
| +047+ | 4.15 | Dave Dravecky | 182.7 | TOT |
| +049+ | 4.1 | Dave Stewart | 251 | OAK |
| +055+ | 3.79 | Rick Sutcliffe | 230.7 | CHN |
| +061+ | 3.47 | Danny Darwin | 191 | HOU |
| +066+ | 3.34 | Charlie Hough | 270.3 | TEX |
| +078+ | 2.84 | Floyd Bannister | 216.3 | CHA |
| +081+ | 2.82 | Dennis Martinez | 137.7 | WAS |
| +082+ | 2.77 | Mark Langston | 260 | SEA |
| +085+ | 2.74 | Atlee Hammaker | 162 | SFN |
| +092+ | 2.6 | Eric Show | 204 | SDN |
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