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Jul 11, 2015 - 4:08 AM Dallas Keuchel has one more chance to prove he's worthy of starting for the AL in next week's All-Star Game.

He'll do so while trying to win a fourth consecutive start and help the visiting Houston Astros avoid a fifth straight defeat Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Looking to become the AL's first 12-game winner, Keuchel (11-3, 2.14 ERA) has the lowest ERA in that league, thrown more innings (130 1-3) than anybody in the majors and ranks among baseball's leaders in WHIP (0.99). The left-hander also received 381 All-Star votes from his fellow players - more than any pitcher in the majors.

''I think Dallas is stating his own case (to start the All-Star Game),'' said Houston manager A.J. Hinch, who will be on Ned Yost's staff for Tuesday's contest. ''Multiple guys have the qualifications. I just don't know if anyone's been better."

Keuchel won't lobby for the gig or let the wait consume him.

''I'd like to, but it's nothing I'm going to fret over,'' said Keuchel, who can become the first Astro since Roy Oswalt in 2005 to win 12 before the break. ''There are plenty of deserving candidates. There are guys a lot more nasty than I am. I'm just happy to be at the game.''

Keuchel wasn't at his best Monday when his 19-inning scoreless stretch ended while yielding three runs and a season-high nine hits over six of a 9-4 win at Cleveland - Houston's only triumph in the last seven games.

In three starts opposite Tampa Bay (44-45), Keuchel is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA - his highest against any AL opponent over at least three starts. He must improve in order to help the Astros (49-40) rebound after falling to 2-6 on a 10-game trip with Friday's 3-1 defeat.

Colby Rasmus homered for one of five hits by Houston, which has totaled 21 while scoring four on a four-game slide.

"It's tough, the runs and hits are hard to come by for us right now,'' said Hinch, whose club holds a slim lead over the second-place Los Angeles Angels in the West. "We've gone through this, this lull a little bit before and came out of it fine. We'll come out of it again."

The Rays managed four hits but scored twice on ground outs in the sixth and added a Brandon Guyer homer in the seventh to snap their own four-game skid by winning for the second time in 13 contests.

"It's good for us to get back on the winning side of things," All-Star closer Brad Boxberger said after recording his 21st save.

Though Evan Longoria failed to hit safely for the first time in nine games, he recorded his seventh RBI over that stretch. He's 3 for 6 against Keuchel.

Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 2.47) takes the mound for the first time since leaving June 5 after 4 1-3 innings with a strained left oblique.

"Huge (lift getting him back)," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "Odo has already done a lot this season."

Though the right-hander is 1-2 in five home starts, he's posted a 1.64 ERA. His only appearance against the Astros came at home June 21 of last year when he allowed one hit and struck out 10 in 7 1-3 innings of an 8-0 victory.

Jose Altuve had Houston's lone hit in that contest, and is batting .325 while hitting safely in 19 of his last 21.