Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 2/28/2017

by Doc's Sports - 2/28/2017

Spring training is in full swing as all 30 MLB teams begin preparations for a run at the 2017 World Series title. It took the Chicago Cubs more than 100 years to win their last world title. However, in this week's discussion with Doc's expert handicapper and former Chicago native Raphael Esparza , we will get his thoughts on his beloved Cubs' chance to repeat.

During a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry, Raphael rose through the ranks to become the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria. Known at the time as the Vegas Sports Informer, he also honed his craft as one of the top sports handicappers in the country. He retired from the sportsbook industry in 2013, but he is still going strong as a top handicapper running a very successful and diverse sports investment service from both Las Vegas and the Big Easy in New Orleans. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: Now that you have been spending a good deal of time in your second home in New Orleans, what is your take on the Pelicans' chances to become a contending team in the NBA's Western Conference with the recent addition of DeMarcus Cousins from Sacramento?

RE: New Orleans still has a ways to go to be considered a legitimate contender in the West. The Pelicans are still lacking on defense and outside shooting, but it would be interesting to see them go up against Golden State in the playoffs if they can sneak into that eighth position in the standings.

Doc's Sports: Staying in the Big Easy for next week's Sun Belt men's basketball tournament at Lakefront Arena, Texas-Arlington already owns a share of the regular-season title at 13-3 in conference play. Do you have the Mavericks adding a conference tournament title to the resume, or is there another team waiting in the wings to make a run?

RE: UT-Arlington has been the best team in the Sun Belt this season behind a stellar offensive effort, but the gap with teams such as Arkansas State and even Georgia State is not that wide. If you are looking for a sleeper in this conference tournament, keep your eyes on Troy.

Doc's Sports: Now that the Cubs have gotten the monkey off their back with last season's thrilling run to a World Series title, are you going chalk with Chicago as the clear MLB futures favorite to repeat?

RE: I would definitely put the Cubs at the top of the list in the National League, although teams such as Washington and Los Angeles should be able to keep things interesting. I would have to give the overall edge to Boston when it comes to winning the 2017 World Series behind what I see as the best pitching staff in the Majors.

Doc's Sports : The back-and-forth talk about a possible boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor continues. However, in your professional opinion as a huge fight fan, will we ever see this bout take place?

RE: I would love to see this fight take place for the pure entertainment value of what could actually turn out to be a good matchup, but I highly doubt it will take place. The next few months are the biggest of the year for boxing, so I believe that all the talk surrounding this proposed bout will die down for good.

Doc's Sports: The Oscars are in the books, so what is next on your betting radar as far as an upcoming event that might be a bit "off the grid" for the average sports bettor?

RE : There is quite a bit of action on the plate this weekend in boxing and UFC 209 as well as the start of a new season of soccer in the MLS. The event at the top of my list is this Saturday's Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream with a number of interesting entries. The horse to watch in this one is trainer Dante Zanelli Jr's Huracan Americo in his racing debut as a three year old.

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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