pitchers aren’t expected to pitch games anymore, because statistics show that the 3rd time through a lineup, batting averages shoot up. Better to swap out after 5 innings.
Batters aren’t just “trying”, they are hitting more home runs than ever. As would be expected — the statistics again have shown that striking out more, but getting home runs more, is a winning strategy.
Note that a strikeout will virtually never be a double-play. And if your batting average on a “3rd strike safe hit” is 100 points below your general average, you are hardly helping by trying to get on base.
I would make a rule that you aren’t allowed more than two pitching changes per game.
Of course, the Players Union would never allow it.
Beginning in 1988, when STATS Inc. began tracking numbers in certain counts, Gwynn batted .302 with two strikes. That's easily the best mark for any player in that span, with Wade Boggs coming in second at .260. In fact, in 1994, Gwynn batted an absurd .397 in two-strike counts.
"19 facts about the wonderful career of Gwynn" -- by AJ Cassavell (MLB.com), 5/9/2016