Most airliners have the engines under the wings (and therefore under the CG). Thus, most airliners will pitch up when thrust is applied. The 737 Max has a higher thrust line (which means closer to the CG) than prior 737s. The nose will pitch up less than other 737s when applying power. The problem isn't pitching up when applying power.

The problem is that at high angles of attack, the nacelles start to produce lift, and with the more forward position, they cause a greater pitch up force than previous versions.