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


by Docsports.com - 10/16/2018

Blake Bortles Jacksonville Jaguars

One of the main reasons why Doc's Sports has remained the premier sports selection service in the sports betting industry for close to 50 years has been the quality of the expert sports handicappers we have built long-standing relationships with. Ranking as one of the 'best of the best' expert handicappers in the nation is Raphael Esparza . Once known as the Vegas Sports Informer, he made a name for himself during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry that culminated with him holding the title of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria until his retirement in 2013.

For the past five years, Raphael has dedicated himself to building a highly-successful sports investment business from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. Check out his home page at Doc's for a host of different betting options from the NFL all the way to prop bet odds for the next big movie premier. Every week it is our pleasure to sit down with one of the most diverse handicappers in the game today to cover the hottest tending topics in the world of sports betting.

Doc's: The sportsbooks have made a steady habit of beating up on the betting public this NFL season. Flipping the switch on the natural lean towards betting the favorites, can you give us one or two teams giving points this week to bet against?

RE: The team at the top of my list has closed as an underdog in its first six games. That is why I would go against Indianapolis as a 7.5-point home favorite against Buffalo. Jacksonville looked awful against Dallas, and it could be hard-pressed to cover as a five-point home favorite against AFC South rival Houston.

Doc's: As we approach the halfway point on the NFL regular season, many of the top football experts in the media have basically conceded this year's NFC title to the undefeated Los Angeles Rams. After failing to cover in close road wins against Seattle and Denver the past two weeks, are you buying into all the hype surrounding this team?

RE: The Rams are the most complete team in the NFC right now, but like so many other teams with winning records, there are a few concerns on the defensive side of the ball given how many points this unit has allowed in the last three games. There is still a long way to go, but right now Los Angeles is still living up to the hype.

Doc's: The first real shakeup at the top of the college football rankings took place with LSU's upset against then-ranked No. 2 Georgia. This Saturday, the No. 3 Clemson Tigers are listed as heavy double-digit home favorites against the 5-0 North Carolina State Wolfpack. Given the Tigers close calls against Texas A&M on the road and Syracuse at home, would you put them on upset alert for this ACC Atlantic Division clash?

RE: We would have had a much better feel for NC State if it would have played that West Virginia game earlier in the season. This 5-0 start was built on quite a few weak opponents. Clemson looked like it could get tripped up until that crushing win against Wake Forest two weeks ago. The Tigers should win and cover, but I personally am staying away from this one.

Doc's: Milwaukee has the 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers with Game 4 set for Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Given the matchup on the mound between the Brewers' Gio Gonzalez and the Dodgers' Rich Hill, which way are you leaning in this one?

RE: I am going to keep riding the Brewers in this series. Even if Gonzalez does not have his best stuff working in Game 4, Milwaukee's bullpen continues to pitch extremely well. I was also very unimpressed with the Dodgers' overall effort in Monday's 4-0 loss.

Doc's: The NBA Champion Golden State Warriors kick off the new season a bit later on Tuesday night as 13-point home favorites against Oklahoma City. Given that they lost last season's opener to Houston straight-up as 10-point favorites at home on their way to a 1-6 start against the spread, would you go against Golden State right out of the gate in its first few games?

RE: If Russell Westbrook was in the lineup for the Thunder, I would probably go against the Warriors in their opener. I do have some questions about the depth of Golden State's bench, which could be another reason to go against the champs early in the season trying to cover some anticipated hefty spreads.

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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