Before each Ultimate Fighting Championship match, ring announcer Bruce Buffer yells at the top of his lungs, “It’s time!”

That’s to signal that it’s time for another bout between two top-notch fighters who are waiting with peaked interest to make mince pie out of each other’s faces.

Fortunately, there won’t be any fighting going on this week because it’s time for some playoff baseball.

Andalusia hosts Clarke County; third-ranked Opp hosts Bayside Academy; seventh-ranked Florala hosts Brantley; and Red Level visits Kinston for the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s baseball playoffs tomorrow night.

Each team will play in a best of three series with two games slated for tomorrow and an if-necessary game on Saturday, in case there is a split.

There are five total rounds of playoff baseball, which will conclude at the state finals at Riverwalk Stadium in downtown Montgomery.

The Bulldogs haven’t had the best of luck in the first round these past two seasons as they have met up with UMS-Wright in each. They should be able to take care of business against CCHS and advance to the second round, where things should start to get exciting.

Opp will play the Admirals for the third straight year in the postseason, and the Bobcats have a good chance to make it farther than last year’s second round showing, after posting a stellar 21-8 regular-season record against top-notch teams.

Florala is bound to make it past the first round against Brantley, and will more-than-likely meet up with either Kinston or Red Level in the second round.

RLS has the talent to put together a good series against KHS, but will need to stay focused — as Tigers coach Tony Ingram said — on Tuesday.

Just before the bell rings, both fighters stand in their corners and take a moment to gather themselves before the carnage begins.

Folks, sit back and enjoy the show that is the baseball playoffs because things are going to get exciting in a hurry.