| 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 |
| Al Nipper | BOS | -2.61 | 198709260_BOS_MIL |
| Bob Knepper | HOU | -2.06 | 198709270_HOU_CIN |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1987-09-28.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +002+ | 9.02 | Jimmy Key | 248 | TOR |
| +004+ | 8.41 | Frank Viola | 246.3 | MIN |
| +006+ | 7.49 | Nolan Ryan | 197.7 | HOU |
| +008+ | 7.23 | Roger Clemens | 264 | BOS |
| +009+ | 7.1 | Orel Hershiser | 257 | LAN |
| +011+ | 6.83 | Rick Reuschel | 221.7 | TOT |
| +013+ | 6.33 | Doyle Alexander | 199.3 | TOT |
| +023+ | 5.57 | Bret Saberhagen | 248 | KCA |
| +025+ | 5.49 | Mike Scott | 240.3 | HOU |
| +028+ | 5.22 | Bob Welch | 242.3 | LAN |
| +032+ | 5.06 | Charlie Leibrandt | 232.7 | KCA |
| +033+ | 4.85 | Jack Morris | 250 | DET |
| +038+ | 4.48 | Mike Dunne | 155.7 | PIT |
| +041+ | 4.38 | Jim Clancy | 239.3 | TOR |
| +044+ | 4.26 | Dwight Gooden | 171.3 | NYN |
| +047+ | 4.1 | Dave Stewart | 251 | OAK |
| +052+ | 3.92 | Dave Dravecky | 186.7 | TOT |
| +054+ | 3.78 | Rick Sutcliffe | 230.7 | CHN |
| +059+ | 3.46 | Danny Darwin | 191 | HOU |
| +065+ | 3.34 | Charlie Hough | 270.3 | TEX |
| +079+ | 2.84 | Floyd Bannister | 216.3 | CHA |
| +081+ | 2.82 | Dennis Martinez | 137.7 | WAS |
| +085+ | 2.76 | Mark Langston | 260 | SEA |
| +086+ | 2.74 | Atlee Hammaker | 162 | SFN |
| +088+ | 2.69 | Eric Show | 207 | SDN |
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