Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 5/19/2015

by Doc's Sports - 5/19/2015

Doc's Sports has gained a reputation for being a leader in the sports betting industry over the past 44 years for our ability to provide a steady stream of winning selections for all the major sports. Our continued success is backed by team of expert handicappers that include some of the best of the best in their field.

One expert handicapper that has been a shining star on this winning team for the last eight years has been Raphael Esparza. He was originally known as the Vegas Sports Informer during an extended career working for some of the biggest sportsbooks in town, and at the pinnacle of this run he held the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement from the industry in 2013.

Raphael continues to build a very successful sports investment service with the help of a vast network of Las Vegas "insiders" that include some of the town's biggest and most influential personalities in the sports betting game. These professionals know this industry inside and out, and he has been able to incorporate this "insider's edge" into all of his selections.

Savvy bettors that have been along for the ride have been able to make a small fortune over the years behind his winning record for a number of major sports. What makes Raphael's service so unique is his willingness to handicap a wide array of betting events that includes the WNBA, horse racing, boxing, professional tennis and soccer leagues all around the globe. One week it might be pro wrestling and the next it could be prop bet picks in the world of entertainment. If a sportsbook somewhere around the globe posts odds for an event, there is a good chance that Raphael will be predicting the outcome.

Doc's and Raphael decided to develop an ongoing weekly Q&A that is designed to give readers a deeper look into the Las Vegas betting scene as well as cover some of the hottest trending sports betting topics of the day. When looking for the ultimate sports betting source, we have found that there is no one better than a true "insider" in the undisputed sports gambling capital of the world. The following is this week's conversation.

Doc's Sports: The Golden State Warriors are listed as prohibitive favorites in their series odds price against the Houston Rockets in the NBA's Western Conference Finals. Is there any way that the Rockets have another miracle run left in them after their big comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers?

RE: I keep thinking back to how Golden State dominated the regular-season series against the Rockets, and even with a healthy Dwight Howard in the lineup I am not sure how much that actually closes the gap. The thing that has really impressed me about the Warriors in the postseason has been their defense. I will give Houston a game or two, but this series does not go past six games.

Doc's Sports: Cleveland is still a moderate favorite to advance to this year's NBA Finals in its series price against Atlanta in the Eastern Conference Finals. How much of a role will the health of the Cavaliers, and in particular Kyrie Irving, play in LeBron and Co. paying off on this bet?

RE: As long as LeBron James is healthy enough to play his game, I am still going with Cleveland in this matchup. He not only can elevate his individual performance in the absence of other key players, but he continually finds ways to make the people that are on the court better as well. I still have this series going six or possibly even seven games, but in the end the Cavaliers find a way to prevail.

Doc's Sports : Anaheim made a pretty bold statement with a 4-1 victory in Game 1 of its Western Conference Finals showdown against Chicago in the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Do you have the Ducks taking the 2-0 edge with another win on their home ice this Tuesday night as solid favorites?

RE: The final score in that first game was not really indicative of how well Chicago actually played, especially in the first and second period. You do not get awarded style points in the NHL, so the Blackhawks have to create better opportunities to score, but I have this series going the distance even if they manage to come up short again in Game 2.

Doc's Sports: We have been following American Pharoah's current run to a possible Triple Crown title ever since he started gaining national attention as a champion two-year-old. Can you give us one or two early contenders that have the best shot at derailing this impressive ride in next month's Belmont Stakes?

RE: At this point there are still too many loose ends to try to speculate which horses will make up the Belmont field, but hopefully we will have a better feel for how things may shake out this time next week. My biggest question mark for the Belmont is will trainer Bob Baffert run Dortmund for a third time against American Pharoah? I still think that horse is one of the only serious threats to ending his stablemate's Triple Crown bid.

Doc's Sports : We all know what a big fan you are of the WNBA, so as preparation begins for the start of a new season in a couple of weeks, which two teams do you have meeting in this year's WNBA Finals?

RE: I have high expectations for Chicago out of the East, but right now there are just too many unresolved issues with their current roster to anoint the Sky as clear favorites to win this conference. I also see Indiana as a strong contender in the East, so I am in a wait-and-see mode right now. My clear pick in the West is Minnesota as the team to beat in that conference.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza .

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