Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 4/11/2017

by Doc's Sports - 4/11/2017

When it comes to betting on the sport of hockey, there is nothing more exciting than the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Opening-round action gets underway later this week. And in our discussion with Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza we will get his top series price pick for both the Eastern and Western Conference matchups.

Once known as the Vegas Sports Informer, Raphael worked his way through the ranks to become one of the top sports handicappers in the nation. At the same time during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry, he also worked his way to the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. While he has been retired from the sportsbook industry for close to four years, he continues split his time between Las Vegas and the Big Easy in New Orleans running a successful and diverse sports investment service. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: The NBA regular season draws to a close this week, and there has been quite a bit of discussion on which player should win this year's MVP award. At any given time during the season, both James Harden and Russell Westbrook have each been listed as the favorite to win, with LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard also in this mix. Which player do you have taking home the trophy?

RE: It has been a close race all season long, but Westbrook has clearly separated himself from the field with his play down the stretch, and that has been reflected in the current betting odds. The combination of breaking the single season triple-double record while winning key games for his team is just too hard to ignore.

Doc's Sports: Starting with the current series prices for the four opening-round matchups in the NHL's Eastern Conference , which team has the best value on the board in terms of the posted odds?

RE: I have both Washington and Pittsburgh advancing as heavy favorites. However, the best value in the series odds in the East belongs to Montreal as a -140 favorite against the New York Rangers. This series could go six or seven games in what should be a pretty good matchup, but in the end I see the Canadiens advancing to the next round.

Doc's Sports: Turning to the four matchups in the West , which team would you bet on to pay off on a series price bet given the posted odds?

RE: There are a couple of interesting plays in this conference. I love the value in Edmonton against the banged-up San Jose Sharks at -140. It also helps that the Oilers have been one of the hottest teams down the stretch. I also like the value in Calgary as a +140 underdog in what should be a great series against Anaheim.

Doc's Sports : The new MLB season heads into its second week of action. From a betting standpoint, has anything caught your eye given the early results?

RE: Right now in the National League I would go with the "over" in Arizona games and go against St. Louis. Minnesota has been the biggest surprise in the American League with its 5-1 start. And while I am not sure just how long this run will last, it could be worth going with the Twins for a few more games.

Doc's Sports: Last week you posted an article on Doc's with betting odds for the 2017 Video Game Hall of Fame . When it comes to these types of pop culture betting opportunities , can you give us an insider's tip on what you might be working on next?

RE : One of the things that I am working on right now is the host of the 2018 Oscars since the ratings for this year's awards were once again down. I am also looking into odds for which character gets killed in the next Star Wars movie. Insider rumors point to Luke Skywalker. I am also a huge Walking Dead fan, so you could see odds posted for who is going to kill Negan.

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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