For well over four decades, Doc’s Sports Service has remained the premier selection company in the sports gaming industry for our ability to provide a large and loyal customer base with a steady stream of winners for all the major sports. A big part of our success can be attributed to a solid working relationship with some of the best handicappers in the business. One of our shining stars for the past seven years has been Raphael Esparza, who was previously known as the Vegas Sports Informer, during a long and illustrious career working behind the counter for some of the biggest sportsbooks in Las Vegas. Recently retired from the sportsbook industry, he now devotes all his time to using his insider’s edge in town to uncover where the best plays are in a wide arena of sporting events.

As part of a continuing series, Doc’s Sports sits down with Raphael on a weekly basis to gain insight into some of the hottest trending topics in the sports gaming industry today with a perspective that can only be gained by living in sports gambling capital of the world. The following is this week’s discussion.

Doc’s Sports: Over the past few weeks we have been talking about your top teams in each of the major college football conferences for the upcoming season. Which teams are the ones to watch in the Big 12 this year?

RE: This should be one of the better battles in college football this season with four or five teams in the mix to win the title. The pressure is on in Texas after a mediocre 2012 campaign, and Mack Brown’s job could be on the line with anything less than a Big 12 Championship. My wildcard in the race is TCU, but it will be tested early with road games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

Doc’s Sports: We are halfway through the NFL Preseason, and after two weeks of games are there any teams that have caught your eye as possibly being better than expected this season?

RE: Keep an eye on Brandon Weeden and the Cleveland Browns to shake things up in the AFC North if he continues to play like he has in the first two preseason games. He appears to be much more confident and comfortable running this offense as opposed to last year’s system under former head coach Pat Shumar.

Doc’s Sports: Week 3 of the NFL Preseason usually serves as most team’s dress rehearsal for the regular season opener in two weeks. Are there any games in particular on this week’s slate that you will be paying close attention to?

RE: The two at the top of my list are Friday’s Seattle at Green Bay game and Saturday’s San Diego at Arizona contest. The Seahawks have looked pretty darn solid in every phase of the game so far. They come into Lambeau as two-point road favorites, which is a shock even in the preseason. My interest in the Cardinals game hinges around the play of their new quarterback Carson Palmer. Arizona has not had the ability to go vertical down the field since Kurt Warner was with the team, and with Palmer under center this could spell big things for Larry Fitzgerald this year.

Doc’s Sports: While of few of this season’s MLB division races have already been pretty much decided, the battle still rages on in the American League East. Which team do you eventually see emerging from the pack to claim the division crown?

RE: The three main things I look at down the stretch of any MLB season is a team’s pitching in terms of its starters and its bullpen, its road record and the strength of its remaining schedule. When you add all of this up, I would have to give the slight edge to Tampa Bay coming out on top as the division winner in the AL East.

Doc’s Sports: You had previously mentioned that professional tennis is a sport that you handicap on a regular basis. With the US Open getting underway next Monday, can you give us a men’s and women’s player to watch in this year’s tournament?

RE: Starting with the men’s bracket, Novak Djokovic is the current favorite, but you can’t rule out Andy Murray given his current form. If you are looking for someone with longer odds, keep an eye on Juan Martin Del Potro, who could be poised for a big run in this tournament. It is hard to bet against Serena Williams, but if I had to name one other player to watch in the women’s bracket for this year’s US Open it would be Na Li.

Raphael Esparza is fresh off The Strip as he was the Sports Book Manager at Aria Resort & Casino. Last year he had a winning football season, and this year he looks for another stellar football year. You can get $60 worth of free picks from Esparza for any sport by clicking here (first-time clients only). Follow Esparza on Twitter @VSIdocsports.