Severino currently owns a 7.04 ERA in the bandbox the A's occupy in West Sacramento, but a 3.04 ERA on the road. It could be seen as a risk for Toronto to take on the remainder of his three-year, $67 million contract (this is year one), but risks are often necessary to win championships.

The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays tussle Tuesday in what marks the second contest of a 4-game set north of the border.