[bcruise]

"You can literally sit on the first pitch and hammer it"

You say that, but...are you actually doing it? The AI DOES adapt in this game to situations like this (it explains in the in-game strategy guide). If it sees you taking deep strikes, It's not going to worry as much about trying to paint the corners and just come after you. Swing at those (and hit them solidly) and the AI will be more cautious, try to pick the corners more and get you to chase. In short, you get a more balanced approach from the AI when you have good plate coverage.

I'll post exactly where it says this in the guide if I need to.