Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 10/6/2015

by Doc's Sports - 10/6/2015

We all know that Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza is a huge Cubs fan as a Chicago native, so we are going to put him on the spot in this week's Q&A for his pick in this Wednesday's NL Wildcard showdown against the Pirates.

The former Vegas Sports Informer no longer works in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry after retiring in 2013 as Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. However, he remains busy splitting his time between Las Vegas and New Orleans, running one of the most diversified sports investment services in the country. The following is this week'sQ&A.

Doc's Sports: The betting public has enjoyed some early success against the Las Vegas books in the first four weeks of the NFL season, but which side has gotten the best of it through the first five weeks of the college football season?

RE: The Las Vegas books have fared rather well when it comes to college football this year with the exception of Week 2, which slightly favored the betting public. This past Saturday brought in a healthy return with both Ohio State and Michigan State failing to cover. A good portion of the action that does come in for college games is in the form of parlays, so any time there a number of big upsets it really helps the books.

Doc's Sports: You mentioned that Ohio State and Michigan State failing to cover as heavy favorites has been a financial boon to the books. Now that TCU and Baylor have just leap-frogged the Spartans in the latest AP and Coaches Poll Top 25 rankings, can either of these Big 12 powers take over the top spot from the Buckeyes if these trends continue?

RE: Despite a few close calls, as long as Ohio State remains undefeated it should hold on to that top spot in any the rankings given the fact that the Buckeyes are the defending National Champions. One team to watch in the Big Ten moving up in the rankings is Northwestern if the Wildcats can get past Michigan this Saturday.

Doc's Sports : The big game on this week's college football slate in the Pac-12 pits No. 23 California against the surprising No. 5 Utah Utes. Being such a big fan of this conference, is there any way that the Golden Bears cover as seven-point road underdogs against the Utes, who have suddenly emerged as the team to beat in the Pac-12?

RE: Before the season started Utah was not even on my radar screen when it came to handicapping the Pac-12, so I am really blown away with the Utes early success. That being said, if they do trip up somewhere along the way, they will drop like a rock in the rankings. The big game I have circled in this run is Oct. 24 against USC. Until then look for Utah to keep on winning big in its next two outings against Cal and Arizona State.

Doc's Sports: Looking at this Sunday's matchups in the NFL, can you give one or two underdogs that may have caught your early eye as an upset special?

RE: While it would not be the biggest upset in the world, I really like Jacksonville's chances to get a straight up win this Sunday as a slight road underdog against Tampa Bay. With Jameis Winston slinging the ball all over the field for the Bucs, anything can happen. A bigger upset that could be brewing is Oakland at home against Denver. I am still not sold on this Broncos' team other than their defense.

Doc's Sports : Last week you stated that the winner of this Wednesday's NL wild card showdown between Chicago and Pittsburgh would have a good chance to advance all the way to this year's MLB World Series, but you stopped short of giving us an actual pick for the game. Can your hometown Cubbies keep things going with a win in this game?

RE: The good news is that they come in as -130 favorites with Jake Arrietta on the mound. The bad news is that the Cubs are still a very young and inexperienced team, which tends to work against you in a single-elimination game. This is especially true when that team is playing on the road. I will stand by my original pick that the winner of this game goes on to represent the NL in this year's World Series.

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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