Among the locals taking a star turn during the Super Bowl, coming in second only to DeSoto's Von Miller was none other than Jeff Banister, who in a commercial toasted the AL West champs in the ever-popular underdog theme. Which, for the record, doesn't play this year.

Going into spring training, Vegas has the Rangers 15-to-1 favorites to win the World Series, behind the Cubs, Red Sox, Giants, Astros and Mets.

What this means is the Rangers' skipper must simply find another way to motivate his charges this season. As usual, I'm here to oblige.

Basically, the Rangers should win a World Series as soon as possible, because the kids down in Houston might be around awhile.

On the one hand, this is the sort of stuff that makes for great rivalries. East and West Coast traditions aside and based on performance alone, there might be no better feud this season than in the Lone Star State. What the Rangers and Astros started last year should carry over nicely.

On the other hand, the Astros as currently constructed appear to have more staying power.

Consider the difference in age between the projected starting lineups of the I-45 rivals this season. The Rangers come in at 34.6, nearly four years older than Houston's 30.9.

And then check out the heart of the lineups, where the difference is scarier.

Houston's best players are shortstop Carlos Correa (21), Jose Altuve (26) at second, George Springer (26) in right field and Carlos Gomez (30) in center. Maybe first baseman Jon Singleton (24), too.

The Rangers' core: Adrian Beltre (37), Shin-Soo Choo (34), Prince Fielder (32), Roogie Odor (22) and Mitch Moreland (30). OK, I'll throw in Delino DeShields (24).

Even with Odor and DeShields, the age of the Rangers' core is 29.8 to Houston's 25.4. Except for Gomez, none of the Astros' elite has even reached his peak yet.

Yes, I can hear you screaming: What about Joey Gallo? Nomar Mazara? Lewis Brinson?

Jurickson Profar?

If those players and others live up to the scouting reports, they may indeed stretch this rivalry with Houston into the 2020s. But prospects are like teenagers' promises. Until they actually get up and do something, don't make any plans.

Here's the Astros' advantage: They know what the next half-dozen seasons will look like because they've seen it already. They can reasonably assume they'll get the same level of performance from their core. Probably better.

Of course, even a sure thing can go south. One of these days the Astros will have to pay for all their great young talent, and we'll see what Jim Crane does. According to Spotrac.com, the Rangers' projected payroll for 2016 is $149 million, eighth-highest in baseball. The Astros come in 22nd, at $89 million. Elvis Andrus will make more this season than the Astros' entire infield. One of these days, Correa will double it.

Sometimes youth goes backward, too, which is one of the reasons I picked the Rangers to outlast the Astros last season. Veteran players are valuable because not much surprises or demoralizes them. They just keep coming, which pretty much describes last year's Rangers.

While we're at it, you shouldn't construe this age difference to mean that the Astros will be healthier than the Rangers this season. Most injuries have less to do with how old you are than genetics, luck and disposition. Springer, who's been called the "heart and soul" of the Astros by his general manager, played in just 102 games last year after a pitch broke his wrist. Springer also plays the outfield with the fearlessness of a kid in a bounce house, only without the soft landings. He's always one SportsCenter highlight away from traction.

Beltre remains the heart, soul, respiratory system, whatever you want, of the Rangers. He's practically old enough to be Correa's father. Cynics will note he sat out Games 2 and 3 of the ALDS last year with a bad back.

Beltre also played from June on with a torn ligament in his left thumb and hit .318 with 11 home runs and an .844 OPS in the second half. His defensive metrics were better than in some years he won a Gold Glove.

And even with a bad back and thumb and Lord knows what else, Beltre still played 143 games. So I wouldn't read too much into his age or medical chart, as Banister told us on our Ballzy podcast this week:

"He shatters all conventional thinking and progressive thinking."

Sooner or later even Beltre will be done, but I wouldn't bet against him this year. As long as we're talking birthdays, it's interesting to note that the average age of the Rangers' and Astros' top six projected starters this year is nearly identical -- 29.3 for the Rangers to 29.2 for Houston. And that's with 37-year-old Colby Lewis skewing the numbers.

Once Yu Darvish is back, this rotation should rival Houston's, and the bullpen is far deeper, which is why I give the Rangers the edge again this season.

They'd better make the most of it, and soon, because the Astros aren't going anywhere but up. Then let's see what kind of commercial the Rangers come up with for next year's Super Bowl. As long as it isn't that puppy/monkey/baby thing, which I'm still trying to get out of my head.

Twitter: KSherringtonDMN