Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 7/31/2018

by Doc's Sports - 7/31/2018

Doc's Sports has been helping sports bettors increase their return on investment for close to 50 years with the help of some of the top expert handicappers in the nation. One of the 'best of the best' in the game for quite some time is Raphael Esparza . He cut his teeth as a sports handicapper during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry that culminated with a prestigious stint as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria.

A trip to his home page at Doc's reveals some very impressive results for MLB, WNBA and football games in the CFL as his mainstays for the summer betting season. On tap for the 2018 football season in the NFL and the college ranks are affordable selection packages that are sure to boost your betting bankroll. Every week Doc's sits downs with the former Vegas Sports Informer to get his expert opinion on some of the hottest tending topics in the world of sports betting.

Doc's: In light of the looming MLB trade deadline, what are your thoughts on the deals that have taken place along with any potential deals by the end of the day from a MLB betting viewpoint?

RE: Boston and New York made a few interesting moves to maintain their position as the two best teams in the American League. It does not look like Washington is going to move Bryce Harper, but if some reason it did that would have a major impact on the balance of power in the NL if he stays in that league.

Doc's: Organizers are trying to put together a $10 million head-to-head matchup between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. What kind of betting odds would you place on this event even taking place and which player would you bet on in a head-to-head match?

RE: Professional golf needs a shot in the arm, and these two are still the most recognizable figures in the sport, so the odds would be favorable the match does take place. I personally do not really care for either golfer, but in a head-to-head matchup I would take Mickelson. He has already been set as the underdog on the futures odds that have already been released for this event.

Doc's: We already know that you are a huge fan of MMA fighting. Do you have any betting tips for this Saturday's UFC 227 rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt or any other fight on the card?

RE: This should be a great fight card with a number of solid betting possibilities. I would have to go with Dillashaw in the featured fight, but my top pick on the undercard would be Demetrious Johnson over Henry Cejudo. Pound-for-pound, Johnson is of my favorite MMA fighters to watch.

Doc's: Post positions and track conditions are a big part of handicapping a major graded stakes race for thoroughbreds. That being said, is there any head-to-head matchup in the potential field for Saturday's $1.2 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga that you would like to see the most.

RE: With everything else going on right now, this race got put on the backburner. I am starting to gear up for next month's Pacific Classic at my top betting track, Del Mar. Looking at the projected field for this Saturday's Whitney, I would take Mind Your Biscuit head-to-head over McCraken as the two likely favorites.

Doc's: Last week you talked about Wisconsin as your team to watch in the race for the Big Ten title in football this season. Turning to one of your favorite conferences, which team would be your pick to win the Pac-12?

RE: Washington is the favorite, but the Huskies' schedule is working against their chances to even win the North Division. I would actually go with Stanford in that race, with the Cardinal defense and running game leading the way. My top team overall in the Pac-12 would be USC. We will quickly see what the Trojans are made of this season with a Week 2 game against Stanford.

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.

Pick:	CHICAGO BEARS +3
Start:	November 24, 2024 @ 1:00 PM
Expert:	Doc's Sports

Analysis:

Free Play from Doc’s Sports. Take #256 Chicago Bears +3 over Minnesota Vikings (1p.m., Sunday, November 24 FOX) We used the Bears as a free play winner last Sunday and easily covered the spread and should have been an underdog outright winner. Now we will ride them for a second straight week against another NFC North rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are 8-2 on the season, yet are only around a field goal favorite. I still do not trust Sam Donald to win consistently over the course of a 17 game regular season. Minnesota is not as good as their 8-2 record would indicate and playing outdoors in Chicago on Sunday will cause issues for them on both sides of the ball. Chicago has been hit or miss this season, but they will be up to play another divisional rival and we expect them to take this down to the wire as well. Do not miss out on Doc’s Sports Weekend Card featuring top plays in college and NFL football. Read More Read Less

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

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