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


by Docsports.com - 2/12/2019

Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers

Doc's Sports Service has been helping sports bettors earn a higher return on their investment with winning selection packages since 1971. Along the way, we have also built long-standing relationships with some of the top expert handicappers in the nation. One name on that list is Raphael Esparza, who was known as the Vegas Sports Informer during his days working in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. That career culminated in 2013 with him holding the prestigious title as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria.

Since his retirement from the sportsbook industry, he has created his own successful sports investment business from the home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. Big unit plays for all the major sports are part of the program, but Esparza is also known for offering betting picks covering a very wide array of options. Each week, Doc's gets the chance to gain his expert insight into some the hottest trending betting topics in the world of sports.

Doc's: Much was made about the Philadelphia 76ers' trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Tobias Harris before the close of last week's NBA deadline. Do you think that this addition to Philly's starting lineup effectively closes the gap with Milwaukee and Toronto in the Eastern Conference?

RE: The 76ers' lack of depth from three-point range is still a major concern for their chances to win the East. Their starting five might be at the top of the list, but in the playoffs, that lack of depth on the bench could be a big issue.

Doc's: The ACC's Duke Blue Devils have clearly established themselves as the team to beat this season in college basketball. As heavy favorites in the 2019 NCAA Tournament futures, is there betting value in the Blue Devils' odds to win in mid-February ahead of that national title run in mid-March?

RE: There is no real reason to think that Duke cannot win the national title this season, but I would still have some concerns with the team's overall depth in a single elimination setting. There is too much reliance and too few players to run away with this tournament.

Doc's: One of the big questions with the start of MLB spring training right around the corner is where will Bryce Harper and Manny Machado be playing this season? How would you answer that question?

RE: My guess would be that Harper ends up in the NL West with either the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco. I would probably pencil Machado into the New York Yankees' lineup, but I also think the Chicago White Sox are still in the running.

Doc's: With the running of NASCAR's Daytona 500 this Sunday, can you give us one head-to-head driver matchup that interests you the most?

RE: This is probably the most wide-open race of the year in the Cup Series. The head-to-head odds have not been posted yet, but I will be looking for the best value betting Joey Logano and Kyle Busch depending on their individual matchups against other drivers.

Doc's: This Sunday's UFC Fight Night on ESPN is highlighted by Cain Velasquez facing Francis N'Gannou in the Octagon. Any thoughts on how to bet this fight?

RE: I have always been a big N'Gannou fan, but I do have my reservations about his chance to actually win as a pretty steep underdog. I will continue to watch the lines as we get closer to Sunday's fight to see if I can get even more value in the number.

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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