Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu
Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza

by Doc's Sports - 7/11/2017

Jose Altuve Houston Astros

The second half of the 2017 MLB regular season gets underway this weekend, and there should be some interesting races on tap over the next few months to win this year's National and American League pennants. In this week's discussion with Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza , we will get his take on how he sees both of these races panning out.

The former Vegas Sports Informer first made a name for himself as one of the top sports handicappers in the nation during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. At the peak of his career, he held the prestigious position as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until retiring from the sportsbook industry in 2013. He continues to split his time between his home base in 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 Los Angeles Dodgers have been the hottest team in the majors over the last month or so to post the best record at the midway point of the season at 61-29. Do you see the Dodgers keeping this ride going all the way to a NL Pennant, or are there any other teams such as Washington or your Chicago Cubs still capable of making a run of their own?

RE: The Dodgers' team chemistry through the first half of the MLB regular season reminds me of what the Cubs had going on last season. The talent is definitely there to win it all, but any time a team is having fun winning games it makes it all the more harder to beat. The only thing that could possibly derail Los Angeles would be a serious, long-term injury to staff ace Clayton Kershaw.

Doc's Sports: Over in the American League, the Houston Astros have been the most consistent team all season long at 60-29, and they should be able to cruise their way to the AL West Division title. Cleveland has the first half edge in the AL Central and Boston has surged to the top of the AL East. So, which AL team do you have winning the league pennant in 2017?

RE: Houston has been the best team so far, but the gap between the Astros and the other top contenders in the AL is not as nearly as wide. I would look for Boston to make a few moves before the MLB trade deadline to bolster its chances to return to the World Series.

Doc's Sports: Turning to one of your favorite sports to handicap, which soccer teams are at the top of your list to win this year's Gold Cup competition which has recently gotten underway?

RE: Even though Mexico is going with its B-team in this tournament, I still like its chances to win. The United States should also be in the running, and if you are looking for a dark horse to back then I would keep an eye on a team like Jamaica or possibly even Costa Rica pulling off the upset.

Doc's Sports : Venus Williams has turned back time to make a strong run at this year's Wimbledon title on the women's side of the draw. Heading into the semifinals later this week, do you think she can keep the winning tradition going for the Williams' sisters at this Grand Slam event by bringing home the 2017 Wimbledon title?

RE: One thing that I have learned over the past few years betting tennis is to never count out either Williams' sister in any tournament. Venus has looked strong at Wimbledon so far, and with a few of the top seeds out of the competition I definitely like her chances to win.

Doc's Sports: This week is considered to be one of the slowest of the year on the sport's betting calendar in light of the annual MLB All-Star break, but is there anything else on your betting radar right now that you are working on?

RE : There are a couple of interesting boxing matchups on Saturday night, and you also have a full slate of games on tap in the WNBA, but my top pick this week is the "over" $100 million in gross revenue for the opening weekend of 'War for the Planet of the Apes' movie premier. The price is rather steep at -280, but I think the final installment in this series will easily clear the $100 million mark.

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 .

Most Recent Weekly Sports Betting and Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers