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


by Doc's Sports - 6/5/2018

Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors

The NBA's Golden State Warriors and the NHL's Washington Capitals have each put themselves in excellent position to win a league title in their respective sport. In this week's discussion with Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza , we will get his thoughts on how to bet the next game in each of these best-of-seven championship series. Also on the board is this Saturday's Belmont Stakes and the futures odds to win the 2018 World Cup.

As one of the best sports handicappers in the nation, Raphael worked his way to the top of the list during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. Once known in national betting circles as the Vegas Sports Informer, he culminated his sportsbook career holding the prestigious position as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until 2013. Since then, he continues to split his time between his home base in Las Vegas and the Big Easy in New Orleans running a successful and diverse sports investment service. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: The NBA Finals move to Cleveland for Wednesday's Game 3 with Golden State holding the early 2-0 series lead. The Cavaliers are listed as 4.5-point home underdogs in this next matchup after losing the first two games on the road by double figures. Which way would you lean this time around?

RE: If Cleveland is going to win a game in this series, it will probably be on Wednesday night in Game 3. I would look at betting the first quarter and first half lines with the Cavaliers at plus money as home underdogs. They have a much better chance at building an early lead than holding off Golden State in the fourth quarter.

Doc's Sports: We had previously talked about this being the year that the Washington Capitals finally put aside all of their postseason frustrations with a Stanley Cup title run. With a 3-1 series lead against Vegas heading into Game 5, will the Capitals hoist the Cup at T-Mobile Arena this Thursday night or will the Golden Knights find a way to keep this series alive?

RE: Vegas does not look like the same team since that disappointing 3-2 loss at home in Game 2. I do think the Golden Knights rebound in Game 5 at home to extend things another game, but if Washington scores first on Thursday night then this series is over.

Doc's Sports: Justify should open as the clear favorite to win Saturday's Belmont Stakes and this year's Triple Crown racing title when the post positions and morning line odds are released. Following a tight victory in the Preakness Stakes, you told Doc's that this horse could be beat in the Belmont given the longer distance of this final race. Can you give us a probable entry that has what it takes to spoil another Triple Crown bid?

RE: I still think the extra ¼ mile of distance in the Belmont will be Justify's downfall in his Triple Crown bid. Free Drop Billy has some decent closing speed, but the horse that could have the best chance to win on Saturday is Bravazo as a possible third-favorite on the morning line depending on his post position.

Doc's Sports : The futures odds to win the 2018 World Cup tend to favor Brazil, with Germany listed as a close second-favorite. Spain, France and Argentina are also in the mix when it comes to the betting odds for the top five teams. Which country offers the best value on the board when it comes to betting on the 2018 World Cup Champion?

RE: I like the slightly longer odds on Spain as my top-value pick. Brazil has something to prove, and Germany comes in as the defending World Cup Champion, but this Spanish team is deep in talent. England is another team that offers some good value at longer odds in the field.

Doc's Sports: We covered quite a bit of ground this week. However, as usual, there is probably something we missed on your expanded betting radar. What else are you working on right now?

RE : The first event I am looking forward to is Saturday's UFC 225 fight between Michael Jackson vs. CM Punk. I think the results of this fight might signal Punk's return to wrestling and the WWE. Also on Saturday in Las Vegas is a WBO welterweight title fight between Jeff Horn as the champion and Terence Crawford as the challenger on ESPN +. Crawford is a heavy favorite to win this fight, and for good reason.

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 don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sport Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza .

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