CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Bryce Harper era is here.

The Phillies open their 2019 season Thursday afternoon against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park, which means Harper finally plays in front of Phillies fans for the first time in a game that counts. The excitement surrounding this opener has not been felt since Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt made up the Phillies’ rotation in 2011.

It could be a fun year.

Here is a look at the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, a roster the Phillies expect to snap a seven-year postseason drought:

Catcher (2): J.T. Realmuto, Andrew Knapp.

What to expect: Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said in February that Realmuto is the best catcher in baseball. Harper said a month later that Realmuto is his favorite player. Phillies fans will see why Klentak and Harper love him so much. It would not be a surprise to see Realmuto as the National League’s starting catcher in the All-Star Game. Meanwhile, Knapp has worked hard to improve his game and he expects to be better offensively and defensively.

First base (1): Rhys Hoskins.

What to expect: Hoskins will feel more at home at first base, and the theory throughout the spring is that it could boost his numbers at the plate. But more than moving from left field to first base, Hoskins’ numbers could see a boost because he has another year under his belt and he has Harper, Realmuto, Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura hitting around him.

Second base (1): Cesar Hernandez.

What to expect: Hernandez played on a broken right foot in the second half of last season and struggled (.228/.324/.333). If he is healthy, he should put up numbers similar to 2016 through July 6 last season (.288/.374/.401).

Third base (1): Maikel Franco.

What to expect: Nobody knows. Is Franco the player that ranked last out of 17 qualified third basemen the past three seasons in OPS (.730)? Or is he the player that posted a .934 OPS in 53 games from June 17 through Aug. 18 last year? If Franco struggles, the Phillies will move to Scott Kingery.

Shortstop (1): Jean Segura.

What to expect: Segura has slashed .308/.353/.449 the past three seasons with Arizona and Seattle. There is no reason not to think he will put up similar numbers.

Outfield (5): Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Aaron Altherr.

What to expect: This is the Phillies best Opening Day outfield since Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez in 2010. John Mayberry Jr., Domonic Brown, Tony Gwynn Jr., Grady Sizemore, Cedric Hunter, Peter Bourjos and Michael Saunders are just a few to patrol the Phillies’ outfield on Opening Day since then. Everybody seems to know what kind of numbers Harper and McCutchen will put up in 2019. But which Herrera will play? The one that was the team’s best player from 2015-17? Or the one that struggled mightily from late May through the end of last season? If the right Herrera shows up, the Phillies’ lineup could be a force in the National League.

Williams and Altherr will come off the bench, although something will have to give when Roman Quinn (injured list) is ready to rejoin the team.

Utility (1): Scott Kingery.

What to expect: Kingery finished the spring swinging a hot bat. If he hits well early, he could push Franco for more playing time at third base. But Kingery should see playing time there regardless, because the Phillies consider him a better defender. If Franco hits, Kingery should bounce around the field, getting occasional starts at second, third and short. He could even see some time in the outfield.

Starting pitchers (5): Aaron Nola, Jake Arrieta, Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin and Vince Velasquez.

What to expect: Phillies starters ranked seventh in baseball with a 3.74 ERA through Aug. 12 last season, which was the last day they held a share of first place in the division. They posted a 4.19 ERA the rest of the way, which ranked 17th. The poor finish has fans nervous, but the Phillies believe their starters will return to form, particularly because they have an additional year of experience and an improved defense.

But the Phillies should be quicker to pull the trigger and promote somebody like Jerad Eickhoff or Drew Anderson, if a pitcher struggles. Developmental time is over. It is time to win.

Relief pitcher (8): David Robertson, Seranthony Dominguez, Hector Neris, Pat Neshek, Adam Morgan, Jose Alvarez, Juan Nicasio and Edubray Ramos.

What to expect: MLB.com recently ranked the Phillies as the No. 8 bullpen in baseball, based on the addition of Robertson and the continued development of Dominguez. There are some questions, of course. Neris is up and down, Tommy Hunter is injured and Victor Arano is expected to be a big part of the bullpen -- but he had a terrible spring and will open in Triple-A.

Here is another quick look at the projected 25:

CATCHERS
J.T. Realmuto
Andrew Knapp

INFIELDERS
Rhys Hoskins
Cesar Hernandez
Maikel Franco
Jean Segura

OUTFIELDERS
Bryce Harper
Andrew McCutchen
Odubel Herrera
Nick Williams
Aaron Altherr

UTILITY PLAYERS
Scott Kingery

STARTING PITCHERS
Aaron Nola
Jake Arrieta
Nick Pivetta
Zach Eflin
Vince Velasquez

RELIEF PITCHERS
David Robertson
Seranthony Dominguez
Hector Neris
Pat Neshek
Adam Morgan
Jose Alvarez
Juan Nicasio
Edubray Ramos