 Valenzuela was less dominant after the 1981 player strike wiped out the middle third of the season, but the left-hander still finished with a 13–7 record and a 2.48 ERA.He led all pitchers in complete games (11), shutouts (8), innings pitched (192.1), and strikeouts (180).In the postseason, Valenzuela became the youngest pitcher to start the first game of a World Series and pitched a complete game in Game 3 against the New York Yankees.