Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 10/14/2015

by Doc's Sports - 10/14/2015

The Chicago Cubs' amazing run is taking them to the NLCS. In this week's discussion with Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza, we will get his take on what the future might hold for his favorite baseball team as they take their next step towards winning that elusive world title.

Known as the Vegas Sports Informer during his long tenure in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry, Raphael retired in 2013 as Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. Splitting his time between Las Vegas and New Orleans, he now runs one of the most diversified sports investment services in the country. The following is this week's Q&A.

Doc's Sports: There are a couple of great college football conference showdowns on the Week 7 schedule between nationally-ranked teams. Which one of these games are you looking forward to the most?

RE: I was really excited about the Florida at LSU game, but the recent suspension of Gators' quarterback Will Grier takes some the starch out that matchup. I am really interested to see how Northwestern responds at home against Iowa after getting pasted by Michigan 38-0 in last week's game on the road. The Wildcats will also be motivated by a 48-7 loss to the Hawkeyes last season on the road.

Doc's Sports: You have been tracking the Las Vegas sportsbook's NFL results against the betting public after each week of games, so who got the best of it in Week 5?

RE: It was a rough Sunday afternoon for the books in light of the results from the late games with heavy money on Arizona, New England and Denver. This followed a big loss on Green Bay earlier in the day. The saving grace to help cut the losses was Pittsburgh's cover on Monday night. The final tally will probably reflect a small gain for some of the books in Week 5, but for many it was basically a wash.

Doc's Sports : Of the six undefeated NFL teams left standing after last week's games, which one is your top contender and which one would you still consider a possible pretender?

RE: Green Bay and New England are the obvious choices as contenders, but I might have to add Cincinnati to that list after last Sunday's amazing come-from-behind win against Seattle. I would still leave Denver on my pretender's list right now. The Broncos' defense is the real deal, but I am not sold on Peyton Manning and this offense making this an elite team.

Doc's Sports: The 3-2 New York Giants appear to be the front-runner in a tight NFC East division race, but 2-3 Philadelphia has shown some signs of life with a big win last Sunday against New Orleans. Which team to you like in this Monday's night's showdown?

RE: Most of the books have opened Philly as a four-point home favorite, but there could be some solid value in that number. If the Eagles had just one more win this season, that same betting spread would have probably opened at five or six points.

Doc's Sports : The Cubs are well on their way to a potentially monumental run to a world title after getting past Pittsburgh in the wild card Round and closing out St. Louis in four games in the NLDS. How confident are you now that they can make it all the way to this season's MLB World Series from what you have seen from your hometown team?

RE: I was in Chicago for that monumental Game 4 win, and I am not sure what to think given just how emotionally draining it has been for a Cubs' fan going up against our arch rivals. Anything can still happen in the NLCS, but I cannot help but think purely as a handicapper that Chicago suddenly has a huge edge in momentum against either the Mets or the Dodgers to get to 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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