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


by Docsports.com - 11/13/2018

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Doc's Sports Service has earned the reputation as a recognized leader and trusted name in the sports handicapping industry since 1971 with the help of some of the top in-house expert handicappers in the nation. As a valued member of our extended team of expert sports handicappers, Raphael Esparza worked his way to the top of list during a long and successful run in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. That career culminated with a prestigious stint as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria until his retirement in 2013.

Since then, the former Vegas Sports Informer has shifted all of his energy to running a successful sports investment business from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. Whether you are looking for a big unit play on this week's top matchup in the NFL or betting picks for the next big movie premier, his selection packages span one of widest arrays of betting options in the sports betting industry. Doc's is fortunate to have the opportunity gain his insight into some the hottest trending betting topics each week in the world of sports.

Doc's: With New England and Philadelphia losing straight-up along with Kansas City and the Los Angeles Rams failing to cover in last Sunday's games, what kind of impact did this have on the sportsbook's results for Week 10 in the NFL?

RE: Those four games contributed to a fairly sizable gain for the books in Week 10, but Buffalo's upset over the New York Jets and Atlanta losing to Cleveland brought in quite a bit of money as well. The Eagles' loss to Dallas on Monday night was just icing on the cake.

Doc's: The biggest game on this week's NFL schedule is a Monday night matchup in Mexico City between the Chiefs and the Rams in a possible Super Bowl LIII preview. Where do you see the bulk of the betting money heading in this game?

RE: What really drew my attention to this game was the total opening at 63 points and already jumping to 63.5 points at a few books. This is the type of matchup where I would not be surprised with any possible outcome other than a low-scoring battle. Bettors will probably lean towards the Rams, but there should be some good two-way action in this one.

Doc's: It is a rather quiet week in college football ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday, but No. 3 Notre Dame could have its hands full against the surging No. 13 Syracuse Orange this Saturday. Do you see the Irish covering the current nine-point spread at home in this one?

RE: Syracuse could keep this game close enough to cover, but Notre Dame knows it may need a convincing win on Saturday to lock up that coveted No. 3 playoff spot to avoid Alabama in the semifinal game.

Doc's: Turning to the Division Finals in the CFL playoffs, do you have Calgary heading to its third-straight Grey Cup title game with a win against Winnipeg at home after stumbling down the stretch to a 1-3 SU finish?

RE: Calgary opened as a 4.5-point home favorite, and that number has gotten bumped to five points in early betting. Despite the poor finish, I had the Stampeders as six-point favorites in this game, so there is still some value in this play. Winnipeg is coming off a big road win against Saskatchewan last week while Calgary had a bye. This also adds value to the Stamps covering given just how hard it is to play back-to-back playoff games on the road.

Doc's: You recently posted an article on Doc's site covering the prop bet odds for which entertainer will be selected to host the 91st Academy Awards next February . You mentioned you like Ellen DeGeneres as a +250 favorite, who would be your top play at longer odds?

RE: Lin-Manuel Miranda at +550 odds would bring the musical aspect to the show and Jimmie Fallon at +700 would be a good pick from a pure comedic aspect. I do think Ellen will get the nod for ability to stay away from politics, but my ultimate pick would be Will Ferrell at +1100 from a wishful thinking standpoint.

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 do not even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sports Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza.

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