| Starter | Tm | Tier | Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melido Perez | CHA | -4.68 | 198908290_CHA_TOR |
| Wes Gardner | BOS | -3.28 | 198908270_DET_BOS |
| Bob Forsch | HOU | -2 | 198908270_SLN_HOU |
| Don Carman | PHI | -1.91 | 198908270_PHI_LAN |
| Andy Hawkins | NYA | -1.86 | 198908280_OAK_NYA |
Based on accumulated WAA for this season up to 1989-08-29.
| Rank | WAA | Name | IP | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +003+ | 6.51 | Orel Hershiser | 214 | LAN |
| +004+ | 6.44 | Mike Moore | 195.3 | OAK |
| +009+ | 5.55 | Chris Bosio | 210.3 | MIL |
| +010+ | 5.52 | Bret Saberhagen | 199.7 | KCA |
| +014+ | 5.06 | Bert Blyleven | 198.7 | ANA |
| +015+ | 5.01 | Chuck Finley | 176.3 | ANA |
| +018+ | 4.89 | Ed Whitson | 193 | SDN |
| +019+ | 4.69 | John Smiley | 187.7 | PIT |
| +023+ | 4.55 | Scott Garrelts | 147.7 | SFN |
| +026+ | 4.34 | Bryn Smith | 180.3 | WAS |
| +027+ | 4.26 | Joe Magrane | 199.3 | SLN |
| +028+ | 4.2 | Mark Gubicza | 225.7 | KCA |
| +031+ | 4.02 | Rick Reuschel | 168.3 | SFN |
| +033+ | 4 | Mark Langston | 211.3 | TOT |
| +034+ | 3.93 | Greg Maddux | 198 | CHN |
| +035+ | 3.79 | Bob Welch | 172 | OAK |
| +038+ | 3.73 | John Smoltz | 197.7 | ATL |
| +039+ | 3.67 | Kirk McCaskill | 165.7 | ANA |
| +040+ | 3.64 | Sid Fernandez | 166.3 | NYN |
| +041+ | 3.62 | Tom Candiotti | 170.7 | CLE |
| +045+ | 3.58 | Doug Drabek | 204.3 | PIT |
| +046+ | 3.52 | Mike Morgan | 143.7 | LAN |
| +051+ | 3.46 | John Cerutti | 173.7 | TOR |
| +055+ | 3.34 | Bruce Hurst | 199.3 | SDN |
| +060+ | 3.22 | Tom Browning | 215.3 | CIN |
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