Yeah, that's true. Pitcher wants to get a first pitch strike, they want to put something over the plate or near the plate.
I think you can do both, though...I think you can take a rip at the first pitch if it's in the zone and if you miss or check your swing...well, you can still have a productive at bat. You can still work a count.
So basically the Orioles are Babe Ruth on the first pitch. If that's the case, then why have they been in a 2 week slump?