Is it just me, or are 90% of Riot's balance changes usually buffs?

Honestly curious as to why buffs are usually the go-to solution for game problems. I keep hearing about "damage creep", and although I'm no game developer, and consequently cant formulate a decisive opinion on the matter, it does make sense on the superficial level. However I don't think it is happening on the level the boards are crying about. Even still, I don't think Riot would let damage get to that point where everything is a mess. Riot has a particular direction for the games future, I'm just curious as to what everyone thinks that is.