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


by Doc's Sports - 8/1/2017

Oakland Athletics Starting pitcher Sonny Gray

This year's MLB Trade Deadline expired on Monday afternoon, and in this week's discussion with Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza , we will get his take on the winners and losers from a betting standpoint when it comes their MLB futures odds to win a division, league pennant or World Series title.

During a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry, Raphael worked his way up the list as one of the top sports handicappers in the nation while also working his way to the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. The former Vegas Sports Informer retired from that position in 2013, but he continues to work from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from 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: We had talked in the past how MLB powers such as Houston in the AL and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL might be able to cement their spot as the top favorites to meet in this year's World Series with a few additions before this year's MLB Trade Deadline. In light of the moves that were made before Monday's deadline, where there any teams that stood out as clear winners (or losers)?

RE: Hands down the winners would be the New York Yankees in the AL with the addition of Sonny Gray and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the AL with Yu Darvish joining the starting rotation. Both these teams could be on a collision course to meet in what would be an epic World Series matchup. The big loser would be Houston, which was in need of another solid starter for a championship run.

Doc's Sports: You were really excited about last week's UFC 214 fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. Following Jones' KO victory, there is already talk of a 'superfight' with UFC and WWE legend Brock Lesnar. What kind of odds would you set that this marquee MMA fight ever takes place?

RE: In light of some of the big fights that are already on the slate for later this year, I would have to think that the UFC will go to great lengths to make this fight happen as well. These types of super fights are what fans want to see, and as long as the money is there for both sides it will find a way of coming together. As a side note, I am amazed that Jones has been opened as a -350 favorite against Lesnar right now.

Doc's Sports: You have been working with Doc's to provide a free CFL pick every week. As the 2017 regular season moves into Week 7, what are some of your biggest takeaways from the first six weeks of CFL action in light of the current betting trends?

RE: I have been impressed with the offensive output from the top teams in the West. Even Saskatchewan has been putting up quite a few points on a regular basis. You almost have to go against the East in every inter-division matchup regardless of the spread given just how bad this entire division has been so far.

Doc's Sports : In a recent article for Doc's Sports' blog, you highlighted your picks for some special betting props for a head-to-head matchup between Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch . With Peterson now in New Orleans while Lynch tries to restart his NFL career in Oakland, which of these premier running backs will have the biggest impact for their new team in 2017?

RE: Given that the Raiders should have more overall success as a team than New Orleans, I believe that Marshawn Lynch will have a bigger impact on his team. I look for him to extend quite a few drives on third-and-short situations while also adding some short-yardage scores deep in the Red Zone.

Doc's Sports: While we try and cover all the bases each week when it comes to the hottest trending topics in sports betting, there has to be something else out there that has jumped onto your betting radar given the wide range and scope of your handicapping skills. What did we miss this week?

RE : I have had some really good success cashing tickets with MMA fighting lately, so UFC Fight Night 114 this Saturday will be high on my list. The summer racing season at Del Mar is in full swing, so I am always looking for a few good horses to bet on. Also, the 2017 Little League World Series gets underway on Aug. 17, so now is the time to start scouting some of the teams that are expected to be in this year's competition.

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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