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


by Docsports.com - 12/18/2018

Philip Rivers Los Angeles Chargers

The holidays are the perfect time of the year to boost your sports betting bankroll with the help of Doc's Sports Service sports selection packages covering all the action right through New Year's Day. Also part of the winning team at Doc's is Raphael Esparza as one of the best sports handicappers in nation. He earned that high level of recognition during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. Upon his retirement in 2013, that career was highlighted with the prestigious position of Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria.

Once referred to as the Vegas Sports Informer, he has made an even bigger name for himself running a successful sports investment business from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. At the same time Esparza releases his high-unit play for Sunday's big game in the NFL, you might also find some unique prop betting opportunities for an upcoming event in the realm of pop culture. You never know what Doc's might uncover each week when we sit down with Raphael to discuss some the hottest trending betting topics in the world of sports.

Doc's: Both NFL teams in Pennsylvania pulled off major upsets on Sunday in must-wins for the Steelers and the Eagles. What kind of impact did this have on the overall betting results for the books in Week 15?

RE: Ironically enough, legal sports betting in the Pittsburgh area was up and running for this game, and most of the money went towards New England. The books not only cleaned up with the Steelers' straight up win, but they also made money on the total staying "under" in that game. The money on the Eagles' win against the Rams was a bit more evenly split given the high closing spread in that game.

Doc's: Last week we talked about Chicago as the team to watch in the NFC in light of how well the Bears' defense has been playing. Which team would you go with as the one to watch in the AFC?

RE: All season long I have been down playing the Los Angeles Chargers as a legitimate threat to win the AFC, and each week they continue to prove me wrong. Philip Rivers is having one of the best seasons of his career, and the Chargers' defense is starting to play at a higher level as the weeks wear on.

Doc's: The college football bowl season is officially underway. Which game on this week's schedule are you looking forward to the most?

RE: I like Florida International as a six-point underdog against Toledo in Friday's Bahamas Bowl. However, I would still put the AAC/ACC matchup between Memphis and Wake Forest early Saturday in the Birmingham Bowl at the top of the list. I would go with the Demon Deacons in this one with most of the money going towards Memphis.

Doc's: Early play in the NBA has had its share of surprises with more than a third of the schedule in the books. The Eastern Conference is now four or five teams deep with legitimate title contenders with LeBron James playing in the West. Which team would be you early pick to win this conference?

RE: I would probably leave Toronto in the No. 1 spot through the regular season, but do not go to sleep on Milwaukee as the team to beat in this conference come playoff time. I would not be surprised to see the Bucks add some more scoring depth ahead of this season's trade deadline.

Doc's: College bowl season and the final two weeks of action in the NFL season is at the top of the list for sports bettors closing out the end of the year. However, we already know you are also busy working on some other things to bet on a bit further down the list. What else do you have on tap for this weekend?

RE: The first of the year kicks off the entertainment season for me starting with the Golden Globes, so that will keep me busy over the next for weeks. As far as his weekend's other betting action, ESPN+ is offering an excellent card of boxing this Saturday from Manchester, England. This event is highlighted by Josh Warrington putting his IBF featherweight title on the line against Carl Frampton.

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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