JORDAN HICKS

Linebacker Jordan Hicks was 28 years old and in the middle of the prime of his career. Then the Arizona Cardinals — at least briefly — decided he was old.

Dylan Carlson, Nolan Arenado and Jose Rondon homered to back Adam Wainwright, and the St. Louis Cardinals extended their winning streak to 17 games and clinched an NL wild card berth with a 6-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kyler Murray threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns, and the Arizona Cardinals topped the Minnesota Vikings 34-33 after Greg Joseph missed a 37-yard field goal wide right in the final seconds.

Joe Musgrove got through five innings for his first victory since throwing a no-hitter on April 9, and San Diego beat St. Louis 5-4 in the first meeting between the teams since the Padres eliminated the Cardinals from the playoffs last year.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos has been suspended for two games and fined for his role in an on-field brawl during the season’s opening weekend.

“I don’t even think I’ve had a 13 pitch at-bat in my career.”Hicks was scheduled to pitch one inning. Carlos Martínez worked four innings in the start for St. Louis, allowing two runs and five hits. Pittsburgh starter Steven Brault allowed three runs on five hits and a walk in three innings. YANKEES 5, BLUE JAYS 1New York starter Deivi García gave up one hit and an unearned run in three innings. Dean Kremer allowed a run on three hits, walked two and struck out four in the start for Baltimore.

Rams quarterback John Wolford, a Bishop Kenny graduate, looks to pass during the fourth quarter as he is pressured by Markus Golden of the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Inglewood, California. It ended with the inexperienced quarterback fearlessly leading the Los Angeles Rams back to the playoffs. Wolford passed for 231 yards and rushed for 56 more, producing many moments of excitement in place of injured Jared Goff. DEFENSIVENESSLos Angeles got a safety in the second quarter when Arizona left guard Justin Pugh held Robinson in the end zone moments after Cam Akers fumbled at the 1. Wolford racked up 47 yards rushing in the first half — more than Goff managed in any game of his five-year career.

Left tackle Justin Herron left with an ankle injury. — Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. — Lions offensive linemen Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Jonah Jackson left with concussions and defensive tackle Nick Williams injured an ankle vs. Minnesota. — Giants linebacker Blake Martinez left briefly after appearing to injure his left ankle or foot in the third quarter. — Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson (wrist) and cornerback Greg Martin (hamstring) left the game.

That’s when the Brewers, at 29-31, open their series against Los Angeles ace Walker Buehler at Dodger Stadium. But the Brewers also made it when San Francisco lost 5-4 to San Diego for the last wild-card spot. That’s how you see it,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s going to be wild, everything about it,” Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said as the playoffs approached. NL batting champion Juan Soto and the World Series champion Washington Nationals missed the playoffs, as did three-time AL MVP Mike Trout.

Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game to earn a playoff birth Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Louis. That’s when the Brewers, at 29-31, open their series against Los Angeles ace Walker Buehler at Dodger Stadium. In a win-and-you’re-in game, St. Louis clinched by beating Milwaukee 5-2. That’s how you see it,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. St. Louis played a total of 58 games — it was prepared for a doubleheader in Detroit on Monday if needed to settle the playoff picture.

So teams are trying as best they can to ramp up the competitiveness of summer camps conducted in isolation. Several teams announced upcoming exhibition games, including Houston at Kansas City, Kansas City at St. Louis, and Cleveland against Pittsburgh. Catcher Omar Narvaez and outfielder Avisail Garcia will draft teams for matchups designed to approximate the intensity of regular-season games. St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks opted out of playing this season, citing underlying health concerns. POSTPONEDThe St. Louis Cardinals' Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been postponed because of the virus.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks throws off the mound during baseball practice at Busch Stadium Friday, July 3, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS Hard-throwing St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks has opted out of playing this season, citing pre-existing health concerns. Hicks had been taking part in workouts at Busch Stadium, leading up to the Cardinals' opener on July 24 at home against Pittsburgh. We respect and understand Jordans decision to opt out this season, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said. Carlos Martinez led St. Louis with 24 saves last season, posting his first save on June 1.