The 2014 Major League Baseball season has just one week remaining, and it's been a wild ride for baseball fans so far.

We've witnesses no-hitters, record-breaking home runs and triple plays, but the season is almost finished and the MLB playoffs are set to begin soon as the race in the MLB standings comes down to the wire.

And on that note, the National League wild card race has been tight all year long with two NL forces battling it out for the postseason:

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold the top wild card spot in the NL with an 84-71 record. The St. Louis Cardinals lead the National League Central with an 87-69 record. Since this division was created in 1995, the Pirates have not won it a single time. The Cardinals have won this division eight times in the process. Last season, the Pirates made the postseason (as a wild card team) for the first time since 1992, when they had Barry Bonds.

Luckily for Pittsburgh fans, the Steelers have hoisted two Lombardi Trophies, and the Penguins have won two Stanley Cups during that time period.

The reigning NL Most Valuable Player of the Year Andrew McCutchen leads the team in hits with 163. His 23 home runs are also No. 1 on the team. Josh Harrison is having a great year with a .318 batting average and a .500 slugging percentage. The Pirates hold the edge over the Giants because they won four of the six games against them this season. Overall, the Pirates are a well balanced team; they rank in the top 10 in both runs for and runs against.

The Pirates finish their season with a three-game road trip against the Cincinnati Reds.

San Francisco Giants

The Giants have only made the playoffs two times in the last 10 seasons. But on the flip side, both of those postseason appearances led to a World Series title, 2010 and 2012. The Giants are currently 84-71, good enough for second place in the National League West. The Los Angeles Dodgers are out in front with an impressive 89-67 record.

Hunter Pence and Buster Posey have been the driving force of this Giants offense. Both have at least 20 home runs this season. Former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval is having a productive year with 158 hits and 26 doubles. The 28-year-old Venezuelan has already won two World Series titles with the Giants.

Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum have a combined 28 wins for the Giants pitching staff this year. Bumgarner has been in many Cy Young Award talks, but odds are Clayton Kershaw will be claiming that prize this season.

It's very unlikely the Giants will be able to catch the Dodgers with so few games remaining, but they should be able to make the postseason. The Milwaukee Brewers are four wins behind the Giants for the second wild card spot, so that would take a huge meltdown. There's still a good chance the Giants can pass the Pirates for the No. 4 seed.

The Giants close their season with a four game home stand against the San Diego Padres.

Locking up the No. 4 seed is extremely important because both wild card teams (No. 4 vs. No. 5) will be playing each other in the first round. If the Pirates can hold on to their spot, they will host the Giants in Pittsburgh. If not, they have to travel about 3,000 miles to San Francisco and win on the road. Home field advantage is important in baseball.

For up-to-date sports news, scores, and more, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter

FOR MORE NFL NEWS, TRADE AND FREE AGENCY UPDATES, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE